By Andrew Worden

newsdesk@essnmedia.co.uk

​

A 15-year-old boy who brutally murdered a lab technician in his Broad Green home was locked up for at least 13 years today (Monday).

Jason Terry took part in the drink and cannabis-fuelled slaying of Anthony Fernandes with his uncle Paul Maddix, 44, and 27-year-old Darren Listen.

Armed with six different knives the killers stabbed Mr Fernandes, 46, at least 17 times as their screaming victim tried to fend off the blows.

Terry was named for the first time today after an Old Bailey judge agreed to lift an order previously prohibiting his identification.

The three thugs had kicked their way into his home in Windmill Road after a drinking binge in Wandle Park. Maddix and Terry had also smoked cannabis.

Maddix made a 999 call from the scene and confessed to the murder - but was overheard telling his two friends to leave the scene before police arrived.

He later pleaded guilty to murder ahead of trial. He was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum term of 16 years.

Listen and Terry, now 16, told jurors they were only witnesses to the killing but were convicted of murder by unanimous verdict.

Listen was given a life sentence and must serve at least 18 years.

Terry will serve at least 13 years.

Judge Stephen Kramer QC said the victim should have felt "safe and secure" in his own home, but Listen took advantage of his good nature and friendship.

He told the three men: "Fuelled by alcohol and, in your case Darren Listen, upset at your own person problems you all had an argument with Anthony Fernandes when he wanted you to leave.

"That led to a sustained, merciless and ferocious attack on him.

"It is right to say this was an intense episode of extreme violence.

"In the view of the number of knives used, the extent of the injuries over Anthony Fernandes' body and Jason Terry, your thumb print on a knife handle and evidence of your DNA on another knife, I am driven to the conclusion you all played a part in stabbing him."

The judge added: "The fact remains you took advantage of and targeted someone who was clearly affected by drink and was easy prey.

"You were fuelled by your own intake of alcohol and drugs."

The men showed no emotion as they were sentenced, but Listen smirked as he was led to the cells at the end of the hearing.

Mr Fernandes, a senior chemistry technician for 20 years at Epsom College, had only recently befriended Listen, whose grandparents lived opposite.

On July 28 last year, Maddix, Listen and Terry had spent the afternoon drinking in Wandle Park.

Just after 6pm they took a taxi straight to Mr Fernandes' home, after buying even more alcohol.

Prosecutor Mark Heywood told the court: "In the case of Listen and Maddix they had nowhere else to live.

"They thought Mr Fernandes, who Listen at least already knew, would perhaps be an easy touch.

"Whether Mr Fernandes was there at home already when they went in or perhaps returned later to find them there, when he objected to their presence and asked them to leave, their mood changed.

"It became ugly and murderous. They fell on him with knives using at least four weapons against him, one of which was used with sufficient force to break clean in half."

Terry, who has an IQ of just 77 and had a troubled upbringing, found Mr Fernandes trying to make a call on his mobile phone in the kitchen, which proved to be the catalyst for the murder.

Jurors were told Maddix made a 999 call from the scene at around 8.30pm and told police: "I have done it. I stabbed him several times with different knives it was my fault."

Mr Fernandes died in hospital from blood loss caused by severe injuries to his head, neck, and torso.

Listen, who had been living on the streets after being evicted from a flat in Derby Road, West Croydon, dumped his blood-stained T-shirt near a takeaway and made a series of phone calls to friends and family before being arrested.

Terry went to his home in Limes Road, Croydon, and washed and changed before returning to the scene to tell a series of lies to distance himself from the murder.

He has drunk strong alcohol and smoked cannabis since his early teenage years.

Maddix, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to murder before the trial but both Listen and the 16 year-old denied involvement, blaming Maddix for all the injuries.

The teenager even claimed he had tried to pull Maddix off the victim.