Liam Thomas jailed for stabbing cousin Matthew Horton to death

Liam Thomas, 25, stabbed his cousin Matthew Horton three times

A man has been jailed for life after he stabbed his cousin to death.

Liam Thomas, 25, was found guilty of the murder of Matthew Horton by a jury at Liverpool Crown Court and was sentenced to a minimum prison term of 22 years.

Thomas, of Woodend Avenue in Crosby, stabbed Mr Horton, 32, three times in Litherland on 5 September following a "dispute".

Police were called to a disturbance at a property in Sefton View at 23:35 GMT.

Matthew Horton was attacked at a property in Litherland

Officers found Mr Horton with severe injuries and attempted CPR but he died later that night, Merseyside Police said.

Thomas claimed he acted in self-defence, but the jury rejected his claims.

Det Ch Insp Ben Dyer described the attack as "cowardly".

He added: "No sentence, however long, can change what Thomas did, but I hope that knowing he has been brought to justice and is off our streets brings Matthew's family some small amount of comfort."