A man has been convicted of murder at a property in Bradley Stoke.
Lee Llewellyn used a knife to kill 32-year-old Martin Hefferman, from Fishponds, at a house in Honeysuckle Close during the early hours of 18 November 2023.
Llewellyn, of Froomshaw Road in Frenchay, denied one count of murder, claiming Martin had accidently jumped onto the knife, but was convicted by jurors following a nine-day trial at Bristol Crown Court. Llewellyn was remanded ahead of sentencing as Bradley Stoke Voice went to print.
The jury was told Llewellyn and Mr Hefferman had been at the address with two women, one of whom owned the property, for two days before the incident occurred. A quantity of alcohol and drugs had been consumed during that time.
Neither of the women saw the stabbing but told police they had heard an argument between the men downstairs shortly beforehand. They then found Mr Hefferman bleeding and critically injured on the landing. One of the women called police at approximately 3.20am and the first officers arrived 10 minutes later.
Llewellyn told those officers he had “stabbed the guy” and he had sustained rib injuries in an altercation with Mr Hefferman before picking up the knife.
On being transported to the police car he said he hoped Mr Hefferman survived because he did not want “no murder charge”. He also stated: “I didn’t mean to do it but he attacked me.” When in custody though he replied “no comment” to all questions. In court, Llewellyn claimed the death was an accident.
Mr Hefferman was pronounced dead at the scene by ambulance staff shortly after 4am.
A pathologist’s report concluded Mr Hefferman died of a single stab wound to his upper chest, damaging his heart. The prosecution argued the severity of injury and the location of the wound showed Llewellyn intended to kill or cause Mr Hefferman very serious injury.
Detective Inspector Mark Newbury, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “It’s clear there was a dispute between Lee Llewellyn and Martin Hefferman in the moments before the murder took place. Whatever caused that argument cannot justify the conscious decision Llewellyn made to grab a knife, which he used to kill Martin.
“It may have been a decision made in the heat of the moment, but it is inconceivable he would not have recognised bringing a knife into the argument could have tragic consequences. Sadly, that proved the case. He then made several telling admissions to police after being arrested.
“Martin was a young man whose life was snatched away from him on that fateful day six months ago. We are pleased to have secured a conviction for his family. They have shown courage throughout our investigation as they seek to come to terms with losing their son. Our thoughts remain with them.”