Joseph Holland: Man found guilty of 'brutal' stab murder

James Preston handed himself into to police in Kent after fleeing Merseyside

A man who stabbed a 25-year-old to death in a "brutal attack" before fleeing across the country has been found guilty of murder.

Joseph Holland was killed after he was stabbed in the chest in a house on Merseyside on 8 June.

James Preston from Huyton, was found guilty of murder despite claiming the attack was self-defence at a trial.

Det Ch Insp John Fitzgerald of Merseyside Police said the jury "saw through" the 21-year-old's lies.

"He even tried to leave a note at the scene in a deliberate attempt to cover up his murderous actions," he added.

Joseph Holland was stabbed to death at a house in Huyton

Preston had fled Merseyside after the murder before he later handed himself into local police in Kent.

He was arrested and charged with Mr Holland's murder before he was found guilty at a trial at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday.

"By failing to admit murder, Preston forced Joe's family to endure an extremely upsetting and traumatic trial when they had to relive the events of that night," Det Ch Insp Fitzgerald said.

"Nobody can begin to understand the impact that Joe's death has had on his family and friends, but I hope that this conviction will give them a sense of justice," he added.

Preston is due to be sentenced on Wednesday.