Man jailed for life for Canvey Island Murder
Matt Portwood, 42, suffered fatal stab wounds as he tried to intervene in a fight
A South London man's been jailed for life after murdering a 'beloved dad' in Canvey Island.
Matt Portwood, aged 42, suffered a fatal assault while attempting to intervene in a fight at the Iceland car park on Canvey Island, just after 1.30 am on Saturday, 4 February 2023.
Jamie-Lee Lewis who was 24 at the time of the incident, stabbed Matt as he and a friend tried to intervene in a fight between two individuals outside The Haystack pub. Matt, who had witnessed the fight while in the pub, tragically lost his life despite the efforts of police and paramedics at the scene.
During the trial at Basildon Crown Court, the jury heard that Lewis returned to The Haystack with blood-stained clothes after the attack. Phone evidence also placed him at the scene during the incident and in The Haystack pub earlier that evening.
Lewis, residing on Bensham Lane, Thornton Heath, was apprehended in South London on 7th February 2023. Subsequently, he faced charges of murder and possession of a bladed article.
Following a trial, Lewis was unanimously found guilty on Tuesday, 10 October 2023. Today, at the same court (Thursday, 11 January), Lewis received a life sentence with a minimum term of 24 years (less time served on remand). Additionally, he was sentenced to 18 months concurrently for the possession of the bladed article.
Detective Inspector Kev Hughes, leading the investigation, expressed condolences for Matt's family and commended their strength throughout the case. Hughes highlighted Matt's role as a peacemaker and the tragedy that unfolded during his attempt to intervene.
Hughes stated, "The evidence identified Mr. Lewis was carrying and then used a knife in the attack on Matt. His cowardly actions will now see him spend a significant amount of time in prison."
While recognizing that no custodial sentence could bring Matt back, Hughes hoped that this milestone would assist Matt's family and friends in moving forward.
In a statement following Lewis' conviction, Matt's family thanked Essex Police and the CPS for their efforts in bringing justice for Matt. They acknowledged the lasting impact of Matt's loss, emphasizing that their children would never have their father back. Despite the trauma, the family expressed gratitude for the measures of closure provided by Essex Police and the CPS in holding the responsible party accountable.