Man found guilty of Caversham murder over prank texts

O'Neal Joseph was found guilty by a jury of the murder of Yannick Cupido

A man has been found guilty of murdering a 24-year-old on Valentine's Day over prank texts.

Yannick Cupido died from a fatal stab wound in Reading in the early hours of 14 February.

O'Neal Joseph had become angry at prank texts sent by Mr Cupido and stabbed him with a kitchen knife during a scuffle, Reading Crown Court heard.

The 28-year-old, of Amersham Road Caversham, will be sentenced on Wednesday.

Reece Weatherburn, 23, of Nire Road, Caversham, was found guilty of two counts of assisting an offender by helping Joseph in the aftermath.

The jury heard prank texts sent by Mr Cupido led to him falling out with mutual friend Joseph on the evening of 13 February.

He had earlier sent prank texts claiming his friend Weatherburn had stabbed someone.

Yannick Cupido was fatally stabbed on Valentine's Day

The prosecution told the court an "angry" Joseph threatened to kill Cupido if something had happened to Weatherburn.

Despite later learning it was all a prank, Joseph left his partner's house with a large kitchen knife to ambush Mr Cupido as he walked to his mother's house, the court heard.

The jury was shown CCTV of a scuffle between the pair outside the Best One shop in Lower Caversham.

Joseph said he stabbed Mr Cupido, who he claimed was holding a glass bottle, in self-defence because he was scared he was going to be stabbed himself.

After running away his victim later collapsed in Managua Close and died from a single wound.

Police cordoned off Managua Close in Caversham after the fatal stabbing

The prosecution claimed Weatherburn gave safe haven to Joseph at his flat in the aftermath and lied to police in a statement.

Mr Cupido was described by his family as a "precious soul" who was "much loved".

The keen track runner, who was born in Cape Town, South Africa, moved to the UK in 2017 to join his mother.

Weatherburn will also be sentenced on 24 November.