Father and son from Bury St Edmunds convicted of murder after vigilante attack
It comes after the death of 47 year old Neil Charles last year
A father and son from Bury St Edmunds have been found guilty of murder after carrying out a vigilante stabbing on a man in the town last year.
55 year old David King and 19 year old Edward King, both of Radnor Close, have both been convicted at Ipswich Crown Court after the death of 47 year old Neil Charles.
The pair had attacked Charles as they suspected him of trying to break into their car in the Moreton Hall estate on Sunday 20 June.
Charles had a number of previous convictions for theft and burglary.
After spotting him on CCTV, the pair took the law into their own hands, arming themselves with a double edged dagger type blade and 27 inch sword.
No attempt was made by either party to call police before they confronted Charles, who suffered fatal stab wounds.
During a 999 call at approximately 3:55am that morning, David King claimed he'd tried to apprehend his victim in Winsford Road. He admitted to having a knife.
Charles died in hospital on Tuesday 22 June.
Subsequent police investigation found both father and son had a fascination with weapons and a desire to deal with suspected criminals themselves.
Both were charged with murder on October 11.
During the trial both parties denied intentionally killing Mr Charles, with David King maintaining that he was tring to stop Charles breaking into his car.
They were convicted after the prosecution presented evidence showing they had hunted down Charles after he left the scene.
The pair will be sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court at a later date.