Knife murder: Addict guilty

Craig Dunn, pictured, showed no emotion as the jury at Stafford Crown Court announced its unanimous verdict yesterday afternoon. He must serve a minimum of 25 years.

Mr Justice Nelson adjourned sentence until later, saying he would be considering whether to impose a 15 or 30-year minimum term.

A woman jury member broke down in tears when the verdict was announced after five-and-a-quarter hours of deliberations.

Dunn's mother Pat and brother Nick sobbed in the public gallery at it was read out.

Lisa Powell, the victim's widow, said afterwards: "Anyone who knew Neil knows he was not a bad person and would go out of his way to try and help someone who needed it. He did not deserve to die in the manner he did."

The couple had only been married for eight weeks.

Dunn, of Willowfield, Woodside, had denied murdering 42-year-old Mr Powell, of Briery Bank, Woodside, on April 29 last year.

During the 14-day trial, the jury heard how Dunn had met drug dealer Mr Powell at his home on April 28, where they smoked crack cocaine together before going to a known area used by drug addicts off the side of Ironbridge bypass.

Mr Philip Parker QC, prosecuting, described how a row started between the pair and Dunn stabbed Mr Powell in the stomach.

Paramedics arrived, but were unable to save Mr Powell. He had suffered more than 64 separate injuries.

Dunn told the court he had left Mr Powell before he was murdered and returned home to do some DIY. He claimed he had lent his car to another man who had then organised the killing.

By Crime Correspondent Kirsty Marston