Three teenagers guilty of man's murder and robbery

Three teenagers on a violent mission "to obtain money or drugs" have been found guilty of murdering a man.

The body of David Cuthbert, 49, was discovered with stab wounds at a house in Egglescliffe Close, in Stockton, on 10 January.

Layton Lightfoot and Jesse Reaney, both 18, and Charlie Wilcock, 19, were convicted of murder and robbery following a trial at Teesside Crown Court on Wednesday.

Lightfoot, of Stockwith Close in Middlesbrough, Reaney, of Lowthian Road in Hartlepool, and Wilcock, of no fixed address, are due to be sentenced on 27 November.

Det Supt Daryll Tomlinson, of Cleveland Police, said the three defendants were "heavily involved in criminality" and had sought to "assert their authority" and "brazenly brag about their violence to those online".

He said: "[They] were on a mission that day to use violence through the use of weapons to obtain money or drugs from those living within the community."

The victim's family said they had been "forever changed" by the events leading to his death.

They said: "Our minds are scarred with the cruelty and brutal act that these three men carried out on David.

"Losing David has left us absolutely heartbroken. There are no words to describe the pain we feel."

Previously they had described the victim as "a kind, loving, fun man with a heart of gold" who would "light up a room".

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