Man jailed for killing rival drug dealer in park

Callum Taylor (pictured) chased and stabbed Terry Leeks after spotting the victim selling drugs to a woman

A teenager who fatally stabbed a rival drug dealer in a park has been jailed for seven years.

Terry Leeks, 46, died in hospital after he was knifed in Northlands Park, Basildon, Essex, in July 2021.

His killer, Callum Taylor, now 19, was later linked to a "Rambo" knife found discarded in a nearby car park.

Taylor, of Craylands, Basildon, admitted manslaughter and was sentenced in November 2023, but the BBC could not name him until an unconnected trial concluded earlier.

Mr Leeks had been chased through the park by a group of four and robbed after selling drugs to a woman, Basildon Crown Court heard.

He was then stabbed in the stomach by Taylor, who was robbing him of his money, prosecutor Christine Agnew said.

The victim died at Southend Hospital hours after the attack at 01:30 BST on 11 July 2021.

Mr Leeks' death had a "devastating" effect on the family, his sister said

Taylor - who was 16 at the time of the killing - admitted manslaughter, robbery, possession of a bladed article and possession of heroin with intent to supply.

"When you take a knife out with you and you are prepared to use it, you must recognise that death is a highly likely outcome," said Judge Samantha Leigh.

The court heard a group of anglers in the park were among the first on scene to administer first aid to Mr Leeks.

One told the police he "saw the victim and attacker come together and the victim fall immediately to the floor."

Mr Leeks was taken to Southend Hospital but despite emergency surgery, was declared dead shortly after 04:00.

Taylor's barrister said his client lashed out in Northlands Park with "little thought" of the consequences

His sister, Tracy, told the court his death has had a "devastating effect" on the family.

"Although Terry took some wrong paths in his life, he was never a violent man and always made time for his family," she said.

Mark Graffius, mitigating, said Taylor had lashed out "with little thought of where the blow would land and its consequences."

In a letter to the court, Taylor added: "I just want to tell people I am not evil, I am not a bad person, I have just made some bad decisions."