A DRUG dealer who stabbed a Coggeshall teenager to death has been jailed for 13 years after being found guilty of manslaughter.
Elijah Clark fatally wounded 16-year-old Andy Wood last year when they met to to carry out a drug deal in Chelmsford last February.
After a two-week trial the 20-year-old was acquitted of murder and possession of a bladed article but was found guilty of manslaughter and actual bodily harm.
Clark, of Gloucester Avenue, Chelmsford, was also in breach of a suspended sentence he was given in July 2022 for possession of a machete at Northolt station, Ealing.
Sentencing Clark, His Honour Judge Derek Sweeting told the defendant he hoped the statements made by members of Mr Wood’s family would stay with him for the rest of his life.
He said: “I have read a letter from you expressing your remorse that you took Andy’s life and showing some understanding of the pain you caused his family.
“I hope that having heard from real people and seen the distress and anguish have caused them, that it will stay with you for the rest of your life.”
The incident occurred at 11.30pm on Sunday, February 12 of last year when Mr Wood and his friend arranged to meet Clark in an area known locally as mud hills.
The three went to complete the deal in a dark area of woodland, where a fight broke out which resulted in Clark stabbing Mr Wood in the neck.
Clark fled the area to his mother’s house and disposed of the knife by dropping it down a drain whilst Mr Wood and his friend ran in the opposite direction.
Mr Wood collapsed in Waterson Vale where two dogwalkers spotted him and called 999; he was rushed to Broomfield Hospital where he died from his injuries the following morning.
Judge Sweeting rejected Clark’s claim that he only used the knife in self-defence.
He said: “Only you know why you were there and what happened.
“All the ingredients were present for the tragedy that came about – it represented a series of poor choices by all involved, starting with getting involved in drugs and using knives.
“Your actions went beyond self-defence and involved knowingly inflicting harm on Andy Wood and his friend by using a weapon.”
Clark will serve two thirds of his sentence before serving the remainder on licence.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here