Westcliff murder: Two men convicted of stabbing man to death

Wesley Hendrickson and Leon Wright murdered Asqeri Spaho to death at the property in Tintern Avenue, Westcliff on December 12, 2019.

Wright, 31, of Highbury New Park, collapsed in the dock with his head in his hands after the jury of eight men and four women confirmed their verdicts.

Hendrickson, 31, of Ashford Cresent in Enfield, showed no emotion as his guilty verdicts for murder, attempted murder, and aggravated burglary were read out.

However, he later stormed out of the dock.

The duo, along with four other men, had denied driving up from London to Westcliff armed with swords and packing equipment to steal the cannabis plants.

The duo stabbed Mr Spaho and another man who were working as gardeners in the farm.

Shocking footage from police officers’ body cameras showed blood on the walls as they attended the property following the murder.

During the trial the jury heard from witnesses such as the investigating police officer and the officers who first attended the scene.

Giving evidence, Wright, claimed he had no idea that people would be in the property and that they only went to steal the plants, but he was ambushed when they broke in.

Four other men were acquitted by the jury of murder and attempted murder but were convicted of aggravated burglary.

Mitchell Harris, 29, of no fixed address, Scott Heaney 22, of Hurlock Street, Highbury, Brian Kinloch, 31, of Beachcroft Way, Upper Holloway, and Durald Sokoli, 27, of Ayley Croft, Enfield, will be sentenced at the same court on Friday along with the two murderers.