Three Britons jailed for murdering NRI in London home

Three Britons, including a teenager, have been sentenced to a total of 50 years in jail for murdering an Indian-origin lab technician, Anthony Fernandes, in the latter's London home in a cannabis-fuelled frenzy in July last year.

Jason Terry, 16, was jailed for 13 years while accomplices Paul Maddix, 44, was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 16 years in jail.

Darren Listen, 27, was jailed for life with a minimum sentence of 18 years.

Armed with six different knives, the killers stabbed Goa-origin Fernandes, 46, at least 17 times.

The three had kicked their way into his home after a drinking binge while 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.

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

Listen and Terry told the Old Bailey jurors that they were only witnesses to the killing but were convicted of murder by unanimous verdict. Judge Stephen Kramer 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 convicts: "Fuelled by alcohol and, in your case Darren Listen, upset at your own personal 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," he added.

"In view of the number of knives used, the extent of the injuries over 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 said.