Man stabbed his friend to death in drunken row

A man who stabbed his friend twice in the heart during an alcohol-fuelled row has been found guilty of his murder.

Matthew Higgins, 36, of Brook Lane, Northwich, was convicted of murdering of David Eaton, 37, on 28 September 2024 by a jury at Chester Crown following a two-and-a-half weeks trial.

Cheshire Police said the two men and a 41-year-old woman were at Higgins' home in Northwich when a woman's screams were heard by neighbours, who Higgins then approached in the street and told: "I've stabbed my mate."

Higgins will be sentenced on Tuesday.

Police and paramedics arrived about 15:35 BST and found Higgins with Mr Eaton inside the address, attempting to administer first aid.

He told police his friend "fell on the knife".

Paramedics pronounced Mr Eaton dead shortly after 16:00.

He had died from two stab wounds to the heart.

Police said Higgins and the woman were arrested on suspicion of murder, with Higgins becoming aggressive in custody and headbutting an officer.

It took several officers to subdue him.

The woman was released and faced no further action.

Mr Eaton's family said in a statement that what happened had "changed our lives forever".

They added: "It has been a distressing and emotional few weeks.

"We have lost a son, brother, dad and nephew and nothing can change the devastation caused to our family."

Det Insp Eleanor Atkinson said: "This was a senseless crime which could easily have been avoided.

"Higgins let his anger after an argument get the better of him, foolishly choosing to pick up a knife – with devastating consequences.

"Despite his admissions at the scene which were heard by multiple witnesses, Higgins refused to accept responsibility for David's death and put his family through the ordeal of a trial."

Higgins also admitted a separate charge of assaulting an emergency worker.

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