Jack James Hindley, 17, from Christchurch, and Samuel Roy Jones, 17, from Bournemouth have been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 18 years for murder and possession of a bladed article. The two boys appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday 28 September.

A reporting restriction, which was previously in place preventing the naming of the defendants, was lifted at the hearing.

Just before 8pm on Friday 31 December 2021 the two defendants and three female friends were at the home of the victim – 35-year-old Edward Reeve.

While inside the address, the two teenage boys became angry and punched holes in the wall.

Shortly afterwards, the three girls decided to leave and walked back toward Ringwood Road.

Around 15 minutes later, the two male defendants caught up with the group outside Walkford Stores and during this time, Jones admitted that they had just stabbed Mr Reeve. It was said that Hindley stabbed him in the leg, while Jones said that he stabbed the victim in the ribs.

At around 7.55pm on Tuesday 4 January 2022 Dorset Police received a call raising concern for the welfare of Edward Reeve, as he had not been seen for a few days.

Officers attended, with the ambulance service, and sadly located the body of Mr Reeve inside the address with significant injuries.

An investigation was subsequently launched by detectives from the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT).

A post-mortem examination established that Mr Reeve died as a result of multiple stab wounds and incised wounds.

Detectives carried out enquiries into the movements of the victim and established that he did not use his phone or make any bank transactions after Friday 31 December 2021.

Following enquiries, the two boys were arrested on Thursday 6 January and Friday 7 January 2022 in connection with the incident. A 16-year-old girl from the Christchurch area who was previously arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender was released from the investigation and will face no further police action in relation to this incident.

As part of the investigation, a forensic examination of clothing and footwear that belonged to the defendants found blood staining that matched the DNA profile of Edward Reeve.

At the sentencing hearing, the judge commended the investigation by Dorset Police.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Huxter, of MCIT, said: “I would firstly like to reiterate my condolences to the family and friends of Edward Reeve during this very difficult time. I hope that the sentencing today provides Mr Reeve’s loved ones with some small form of comfort following his extremely sad death.

“I would also like to repeat my thanks to everyone from Dorset Police who was involved in this detailed and meticulous investigation, as well as the Crown Prosecution Service prosecution team for their role in helping to secure these convictions and sentences.

“There is no excuse for the despicable actions of these two teenage boys. Knife crime can cause tragedies and I hope this case highlights to anyone thinking of carrying a knife the devastating impact it can have on individuals and their loved ones, as well as their own family.

“If you believe someone is in immediate possession of a knife or offensive weapon please dial 999. If you would like to report your concerns about a knife carrier or need some advice, please call 101 or visit dorset.police.uk and report it online. Please help us prevent future tragedies such as this.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick commented: “I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family of Edward Reeve and my thanks to all those involved in bringing this particularly tragic and difficult case to court.

“This was a truly abhorrent crime, one which has taken away a man’s life and destroyed the future of the two teenagers who committed it. I just hope that this case brings home to those who choose to carry and use a knife that there can be truly devastating consequences to your actions.”