A man has been convicted of murder for stabbing another man he owed money to in Crowthorne.

Following a trial that concluded on Monday, May 20, Oliver Allerton, 27, of no fixed abode, was convicted of murdering Zelous Smythe during an attack in Nine Mile Ride.

Allerton had owed money to Mr Smythe at the time of attack, which occurred on November 5, 2018.

Allerton's co-defendant Victoria Quinton, 21, of Wilwood, Preistwood, Bracknell, was acquitted of murder, but convicted of manslaughter by unanimous jury.

During the attack, Quinton drove into Mr Smythe, who was then stabbed a single time by Allerton.

The pair then sped off in the car driven by Quinton, leaving Mr Smythe to die.

Defensive wounds

Mr Smythe who was aged 27 and lived in Camberley, Surrey, was found dead at the scene with a single stab wound to his chest and defensive wounds to his forearm and hand, caused by a blade.

A murder investigation then began, with Quinton being arrested on the day of the murder and Allerton being arrested the day after. They were subsequently charged.

Allerton was also convicted of grievous bodily harm without intent and possession of a knife, which relates to an incident in Reeds Hill, Bracknell, in October, 2018.

The victim, a man in his 20s, was assaulted with a knife and sustained cuts to his hands which required treatment.

Witnesses thanked

Detective Inspector Sally Spencer, of the Major Crime unit, said: “Firstly, our thoughts are with the family and friends of Zelous, who is the victim in this case and lost his life on the November 5 last year.

"Zelous suffered a single stab wound and died at the scene in Nine Mile Ride.

"Neither Allerton or Quinton helped Zelous after stabbing him and essentially left him to die at the scene of the murder Allerton committed.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank members of the public who stopped to help Zelous and those witnesses who have come forward providing essential CCTV footage and information to assist the investigation which led to these convictions."

No date for sentencing has yet been set.