POLICE officers sent their condolences to a victim’s family as Perry Coulson was jailed for life following the stabbing of a father-of-two in Rochford.
Coulson, 39, of Lesney Gardens, Rochford, killed Dominic Clark-Ellingford on November 25, 2022 by stabbing him through the heart.
He appeared in Basildon Crown Court on August 11 to be sentenced by Judge Samantha Leigh.
A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Work from our specialist detectives has secured a life sentence for a man who was found guilty of murder of his friend.
“His sentence concludes a murder investigation, lead by Essex and Kent Serious Crime Directorate.
“The investigation was launched on Friday 25 November 2022, following reports of a man being seriously assaulted at an address in Lesney Gardens, Rochford.
“Despite the best efforts of emergency services at the scene, 32-year-old father of two Dominic Clark-Ellingford died at the scene.”
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On the tragic day, the call to police came from a family member of Perry Coulson, who he had called for help shortly after the assault.
When police arrived, Coulson was sat outside the front of the address in a car. He was arrested on suspicion of murder.
It was claimed that the two had argued before Perry Coulson fatally assaulted Dominic with a large zombie knife.
During a seven-day trial at Basildon Crown Court, Coulson tried to argue that the murder was an act of self-defence.
The court heard how Dominic had been attacked and left in the flat to die, while Coulson left the address and made attempts to conceal the knife he had used.
The knife had been located close to the scene by police search dogs.
Coulson was found guilty on July 21, and sentenced to life in prison, to serve a minimum of 16 years.
Detective Chief Inspector Julie Gowen said: “This was a tragic murder over a futile argument which has left two children without a father.
“In a previous tribute the family described how Dominic was a loving son and a doting father who adored his two young children.
“My thoughts today are with Dominic’s family and while no sentence will ever bring Dominic back, I hope this will allow them some peace, to move forward with their lives.”
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