Huyton man jailed for 17 years for murder
James Preston fled Merseyside after stabbing Joseph Holland to death in June
A Huyton man who fled Merseyside after stabbing a man to death in a 'brutal attack' has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 17 years.
James Preston, 21, attacked Joseph Holland, 25, and left him dead inside a house on Huyton House Road on Thursday 8 June 2023.
Joseph died of stab wounds to the chest.
Preston tried leaving a note at the scene and fled before eventually handing himself in at a police station in Kent.
He was then arrested and charged with murder but pleaded not guilty, claiming he was acting in self-defence.
However, he was found guilty following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
Detective Chief Inspector John Fitzgerald said:
"Thankfully, the jury saw through Preston’s lies after he claimed his violent actions on that date were in self-defence, which was never the case.
"Preston launched a brutal attack on Joe that sadly resulted in fatal stab wounds that ended his life. Preston even tried to leave a note at the scene in a deliberate attempt to cover up his murderous actions.
"Shortly after the attack, he fled the Merseyside area before eventually handing himself into police in Kent when he had nowhere left to run.
"By failing to admit murder, Preston forced Joe’s family to endure an extremely upsetting and traumatic trial when they had to relive the events of that night.
"Nobody can begin to understand the impact that Joe’s death has had on his family and friends, but I hope that this conviction will give them a sense of justice."