A drug addict has been jailed for life for the brutal murder of university graduate Tim Hutcheon.

Deke Partridge, of Mannette House, Maidstone Road, Chatham, will serve a minimum of 14 years before being considered for parole.

The jury of nine men and three women reached a unanimous verdict after deliberating for almost four days.

The 34-year-old victim, who attended King's School, Rochester, suffered 10 stab wounds at his bungalow in Dale Street, Chatham, on January 26 last year.

His body was not discovered until February 4.

Partridge, 27, denied murder, claiming he was out visiting people at the time.

Mr Hutcheon had drug-induced mental problems, having taken cannabis while at Humberside University, where he graduated in business studies and German.

After sentencing, Tim's mother, Jennifer Langley, said: "Tim was at home and should have been safe in his bungalow, he opened the door to someone he considered a friend with devastating consequences.

"As a family we can feel no elation as nothing can compensate us for losing Tim. We have each been given a lifetime of loss and sadness and whilst each of us, in our own way, will learn to live with these emotions nothing will ever take them away."

For full report and background see Monday's Medway Messenger

Friday, January 15 2010