Jealous boyfriend who screamed at his ex 'I love you' as he stabbed her new partner to death with a hunting knife after discovering them in bed together is found guilty of murder

Kaydon Prior and his friend Jason Curtis have been found guilty of the murder

A jealous former boyfriend who stabbed his ex-girlfriend’s new partner to death has been found guilty alongside his friend who helped to kill him.

Kaydon Prior, 23, screamed, ‘I love you’ to his ex, Alicia Parrin, while he stabbed Harrison Tomkins with a 16cm long hunting blade, on August 13 last year.

Chichester Crown Court heard how he went into a jealous rage when he found Ms Parrin, 21, with Mr Tomkins, 25, and knifed him to death.

He launched his murderous attack after bursting into her bedroom and ripping the duvet from the bed, the court was told.

Prior pinned defenceless leisure centre lifeguard Harrison to the bed by his legs before stabbing him 10 times.

Kaydon Prior (left), 23, and Jason Curtis (right), 22, were both found guilty for the murder of Harrison Tomkins, 25

Chichester Crown Court heard how Prior went into a jealous rage when he found his ex-girlfriend with Mr Tomkins (pictured) and knifed him to death on August 13 last year

Alicia Parrin (pictured) was in a relationship with Kaydon Prior

The court heard how Prior had refused to accept his relationship with Ms Parrin had ended.

Prior and his friend Jason Curtis face life sentences after a jury found them both guilty today of murdering Mr Tomkins.

There were gasps and screams from the public gallery when Curtis, 22, was also found guilty of murder despite not wielding the knife which killed Mr Tomkins.

Curtis shook his head and rested it on the dock after the verdicts were delivered.

Prior looked across at him and shrugged.

Following a night out in London with best friend Curtis they went to Ms Parrin’s flat in Crawley.

Air conditioning fitter Curtis acted as lookout while Prior went back to his own apartment to collect keys to Ms Parrin’s flat and the knife.

He returned with the keys and the knife and carried out the horrific knifing.

As he left the flat, Prior grabbed Ms Parrin by the hair and punched her and said: ‘I should stab you too.’

Prior tried to dismiss her screams coming from her flat as the sounds of good sex when he was confronted by neighbours.

He phoned Ms Parrin twice after leaving her flat in bloodstained clothes as she was desperately calling 999.

When emergency services arrived, Ms Parrin was covered in blood.

A Met Police still of Kaydon Prior who launched a frenzied attack against Mr Tomkins

Following a night out in London with best friend Curtis they went to Ms Parrin’s flat in Crawley. Air conditioning fitter Curtis acted as lookout while Prior went back to his own apartment to collect keys to Ms Parrin’s flat and the knife. He returned with the keys and the knife and carried out the horrific knifing. Pictured: CCTV image of Mr Tomkins

As Prior left the flat, he grabbed Ms Parrin by the hair and punched her and said: ‘I should stab you too.’ Prior tried to dismiss her screams coming from her flat as the sounds of good sex when he was confronted by neighbours. Pictured: CCTV footage of Prior

Prior phoned his ex-girlfriend twice after leaving her flat in bloodstained clothes as she was desperately calling 999. When emergency services arrived, she was covered in blood. Pictured: A screenshot of footage of Prior being arrested

Ms Parrin described Prior as controlling and violent during their year long relationship and told police the obsessive neat freak was a drug dealer.

The jury were shown harrowing images of her blood soaked bed and police body worn video of her moments after the attack.

The jury found both men guilty of murder and having an offensive weapon.

Prior was also found guilty of assaulting Ms Parrin.

The court heard Prior had previous convictions for burglary and possession of drugs.

They will be sentenced on April 23.

Amateur boxer Mr Tomkins was described as tall, muscular and well loved. He worked with Ms Parrin at the K2 leisure centre in Crawley.

Following conviction, Mr Tomkin’s family issued a statement: ‘As a family, we are pleased with this result and feel justice has been served.

‘Harrison hasn’t got a voice today, so we will speak on behalf of him.

‘Firstly, we would like to thank Sussex Police and the Crown Prosecution Service for their fast-moving investigation, which has led to today’s result.

‘Thank you also to our Family Liaison Officers, the ambulance service, the numerous witnesses and the jury for reaching their verdict today. And to all our family and friends who have supported us through such a horrific time.

‘Harrison was innocent in all of this, taken by surprise and killed as he laid in bed, with no time to defend himself.

‘We knew our son and he didn’t move in any of these circles or know this way of life.

The ex-girlfriend described Prior as controlling and violent during their year long relationship and told police the obsessive neat freak was a drug dealer. Pictured: CCTV image of Curtis and Prior

The jury were shown harrowing images of her blood soaked bed and police body worn video of her moments after the attack. Pictured: CCTV image of Prior

The jury found both men guilty of murder and having an offensive weapon. Prior was also found guilty of assaulting Ms Parrin. Pictured: A screenshot of police body cam footage of one of the arrests

‘We were an amazing family, completely content, loving, supportive and protective. Except in August last year our family was destroyed that fateful day – the day I could not protect my son.

‘Harrison, our first born son and brother to his two adoring sisters was just the greatest, he saw the best in everyone he met. He was a lover of life.

‘Nothing said or done can help justify this senseless loss of life.

‘Going through this trial has been as traumatic as the day we were told Harrison had been killed. We have had to relive it all over again, while listening to Prior and Curtis’ lies throughout.

Air conditioning fitter Curtis (pictured) acted as lookout while Prior went back to his own apartment to collect keys to Ms Parrin’s flat and the knife. Here he is pictured at the time of arrest

Prior pictured being taken away by a police officer. He claimed the brutal murder was ‘self-defence’

A forensic officer at the scene of the gruesome attack. Police and paramedics were on the scene within minutes and performed emergency first aid

‘Since the omission of any remorse and that my son was murdered whilst asleep, my only hope is they serve the maximum sentence possible.

‘They have not just changed my life for the worse, but so many people from my family and close friends, and I have to ask ‘was it worth it?’

Case Officer Detective Police Constable Elliott Lander, of the Major Crime Team, said: ‘I am pleased that we have been able to get the justice that Harrison richly deserves today.

‘I never got to meet Harrison, but I have learned so much about him and have seen how greatly loved he was by all who knew him.

‘Harrison was killed in a frenzied attack that he had no chance to defend himself from. Prior and Curtis will both rightly now have to live with the devastating consequences of their actions for a considerable period of their lives in prison.

Mr Tomkin’s family issued a statement after the verdict. Pictured: Mr Tomkins

The court heard Prior had previous convictions for burglary and possession of drugs. Pictured: A screenshot of footage of one of the arrests

They will be sentenced on April 23. Pictured: A screenshot of footage of one of the arrests

A police officer stands in the door of the block of flats in Arthur Road, Crawley where the attack took place

The family and loved ones of Mr Tomkins are pictured outside the Crown Court following the verdict

The Crown Court in Chichester heard Prior had refused to accept his relationship with Alicia Parrin had ended

Friends and family hold a picture of Mr Tomkins following the verdict at Chichester Crown Court

‘On behalf of Harrison and all his family and friends, I’d like to thank those who came forward and supported our investigation.’

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Emma Vickers, of the Major Crime Team, said: ‘I echo Detective Police Constable Elliott Lander and would like to add how incredible Harrison’s family have been throughout what has been a terrible time for them.

‘I commend them for the way they have conducted themselves and their incredible bravery throughout the trial.

‘This was a horrendous and unproved attack on a young man who had simply been on a night out enjoying himself.

‘Justice has been served today and our thoughts very much remain with Harrison and his family during this incredibly distressing time.’