A MAN who armed himself with a knife has been jailed for his role in an incident which led to an 18-year-old being fatally stabbed in Old Leigh.

Flynn Symonds, 33, has been standing trial at Basildon Crown Court over his involvement in the incident on February 26, 2021, which ended with the death of Luke Bellfield.

This week Symonds has been convicted by a jury of possessing a knife blade / sharp pointed article in a public place.

He was jailed for two years following his conviction.

Louis Dawkins, 21, was also charged with violent disorder and having a bladed article, but was found not guilty by the jury.

During the trial, the court was told the trio - Symonds, Mr Dawkins and Mr Bellfield - were chasing a teenager who was also armed with a blade.

Opening the trial, prosecuting, Richard Scott said: “This is quite a sad case where three men, including these two defendants, chase a fourth man, and all four of these men were carrying knives.

“When the fourth man stands his ground, he turns and stabs one of those chasing him to the chest and that third man, Luke Bellfield, died as a result of his injuries.

“Louis Dawkins, Flynn Symonds and Luke Bellfield chased the man - Alfie Pollard - into an alley and there is a knife fight between the four men.

“CCTV shows Luke Bellfield leading the chase with a machete-style knife. He is stabbed and the other two men keep chasing Alfie Pollard.

“The other men realise Mr Bellfield’s been stabbed and Mr Symonds carries him out of the alleyway.”

In March, an inquest ruled Mr Bellfield died after starting the knife fight while carrying a machete. It concluded that Mr Bellfield died as a result of a stab wound to the heart.

Alfie Pollard, 19, of Woodside, Leigh, who was involved in the incident previously admitted possessing a bladed article in a public place. He was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on January 30 to five years and six months in a young offender institution, in relation to the knife offence and various drugs offences.

An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Symonds was convicted of violent disorder, having a bladed article, and having an offensive weapon. It has now been confirmed that Symonds was only convicted of possessing a knife blade / sharp pointed article in a public place. Symonds was found not guilty by the jury of any other charges relating to the case. We apologise for any confusion, offence or upset caused.