Jonathan Clarke

A Shropshire man convicted of murdering a teenager who was doused in petrol and then burnt alive while tied to a tree was today jailed for life.

Jonathan Clarke, of Queen Elizabeth Way, Malinslee, Telford, was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court for the murder of Simon Everitt.

Mr Justice David Calvert-Smith said Clarke, 20, would remain in prison for at least 27 years before being considered for parole.

Two friends of Clarke, also convicted of murder, were also given life sentences.

Jimi-Lee Stewart, 25, of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, was told he would serve a minimum term of 22 years. Maria Chandler, 40, also of Great Yarmouth, will stay in jail for at least 17 years.

Clarke and his two friends kidnapped Mr Everitt, 17, before putting him in the boot of a car and taking him to some secluded woods at Mautby, Norfolk.

Clarke and Stewart then tied him to a tree and forced him to drink petrol, before Clarke threw a lit match at Mr Everitt. Prosecutors said the murder replicated a scene from the film Severance.

Jurors were told Mr Everitt was targeted after going out with a woman who had also been in a relationship with Clarke.

Clarke had previously given Mr Everitt “a good kicking” before he subjected him to a “mock trial” and set him alight.

Clarke had always claimed he was sitting on a beach at the time of the killing.

Jurors heard Stewart confessed to his mother Susan and she called police.

Clarke and Stewart smirked and whispered in the dock as Mr Justice Calvert-Smith passed sentence today.

Stewart shouted at the public gallery as he left and made a V sign.