Joshua Hall: Boy, 16, found guilty of murder

A 16-year-old boy who stabbed a teenager at least six times has been found guilty of murder.

The boy, who was 15 at the time, attacked Joshua Hall, 17, at the Cam sports ground in Gloucestershire in April after meeting up to "sort out their differences".

The teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, was convicted at Gloucester Crown Court on Wednesday.

The attack was so violent it almost severed one of Joshua's thumbs.

Following the verdict, Joshua's family said they felt "all parents need to learn an urgent and desperate lesson to take closer notice and involvement in the lives of their young people, in particular on social media".

They also said that "far too many lives are being destroyed by knives, with social media an aggravating factor".

During a two-and-a-half week trial, prosecutor James Dawes QC told the jury there had been some hostility between the pair before Joshua's death.

This led to them arranging to meet at the Cam, near Dursley, on April 16.

The defendant previously admitted arming himself with a knife which he concealed in his waistband, the court heard.

After the pair exchanged words they began pushing and shoving each other before the youth withdrew his knife and stabbed his victim at least six times.

The attack, which lasted less than two minutes, almost severed his thumb from his hand, and penetrated his abdomen and the top of his arm.

Despite quick medical intervention from paramedics called to the scene, Joshua died from his injuries at Southmead Hospital in Bristol the following day.

When officers arrived at the scene, the defendant told one: "It was me, I did it okay.

"I did it. I'm so sorry I didn't mean to, honestly. Why did I do it?"

The family said in a statement: "Joshua was and always will be a source of light and beauty for our family.

"We will continue to share our pride that Josh spread love and helped people greatly, despite his youth.

"We will continue to tell our youngest how amazing a person and brother Josh was."

Judge Mr Justice Chamberlain provisionally set a date for sentencing for 17 December while pre-sentence reports are obtained.