James Stokoe: Alexander Layton found guilty of Stockton murder

Alexander Layton plunged a kitchen knife into James Stokoe while he was sitting in his BMW following an argument when the driver was forced to slam the brakes on his car when he walked in front of his car.

The 34-year-old claims that Mr Stokoe threatened to 'cave his skull in' before launching the violent attack on Trenchard Avenue, Thornaby, at around 2.20pm on May 15 last year.

Today, jurors convicted Layton of murder after considering their verdict for less than three hours.

Following the fatal stabbing, Cleveland Police managed to trace Layton's movements as he left Thornaby and headed towards North Yorkshire where he was arrested the following evening at a pizza shop in Great Ayton.

Layton, of Shackleton Close, Thornaby, who was also found guilty of possession of a knife, will be sentenced tomorrow.

Speaking after the verdict, Chris Atkinson, Head of the Crown Court Unit at CPS North East said: “Alexander Layton committed a horrific fatal attack on James Stokoe as a result of a relatively minor verbal altercation.

“Despite the fact that Mr Stokoe had told him that he was driving his young son, Layton repeatedly stabbed him before leaving his gravely injured victim alone in his car with a 4-year old child. Though by-passers rushed to Mr Stokoe’s aid, he was to tragically die from his injuries a short time later.

“From his initial contact with police, Alexander Layton has insisted that he had only ever acted in self-defence to protect himself from Mr Stokoe. The Crown Prosecution Service has pieced together text messages, CCTV and eyewitness accounts to show not only that his use of a knife against an unarmed man was an act of murder, but that he had also been carrying the knife that day with the intent of causing someone serious harm.

“Our thoughts remain with the family of James Stokoe at this difficult time and we sincerely hope that the conviction of Layton today provides some measure of comfort to them.”    

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