by Keith Hunt

A former prison officer at Cookham Wood, Rochester, has been convicted of assisting her son commit murder.

Ricky Mount is facing life behind bars after he was convicted today of murdering a teenage love rival at Faversham recreation ground.

The 21-year-old showed no emotion as the jury of six men and six women returned a unanimous verdict.

But the packed gallery erupted with screams and shouts. Judge Andrew Patience QC warned the court would be cleared if there were any further outbursts.

Mount's mother Maxine Liddle, 44, was convicted of assisting an offender by disposing of the murder weapon and her son's clothes.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how Mount stabbed 19-year-old Adam Beaney through the heart in the early hours of May 30 last year.

Mount had harboured a grudge against the victim because he was going out with his ex-girlfriend and mother of his child, Alicia Stankovich, 20.

Mount, of Edward Vinson Drive, Faversham, denied murder, claiming he believed the knife he had did not come into contact with Adam's body.

Liddle, 44, of Lewis Close, Faversham, denied assisting an offender, saying she could not explain why she acted as she did.

Judge Patience agreed to adjourn sentence until 2pm to enable Mount's lawyer Richard Travers to attend. Mount and Liddle were remanded in custody.