Two men who unleashed a violent attack leaving behind a “scene of utter devastation” have been convicted for their part in a triple stabbing which left two men dead and a third seriously injured.
Nicholas Papworth, 33, and Anthony Bennison, 25, were today (Monday) found guilty of 12 offences including three counts of murder between them, after two men were found stabbed to death and a third was critically injured in Houghton Regis last year.
Responding to numerous reports of a hit and run, emergency services attended Tithe Farm Road, Houghton Regis in the early hours of Sunday 13 November.
Adam Fanelli, 39, and Patrick Howard, 27, were found dead at the scene while a third man in his 20s was transported to hospital in a serious condition.
During a nine week trial, the jury heard how an altercation between Papworth, of Hillborough Crescent, Dunstable, and another man took place in a nearby pub.
Joined by a group of friends, Mr Howard and the second man left the pub to make their way home on foot. Shortly after, Bennison, of no fixed abode, pursued the group in his silver BMW, spotting them in Drury Lane, Houghton Regis.
Bennison used his car as a weapon and drove directly at Mr Howard and his friends, as they attempted to defend themselves using wood and debris left behind after Bennison collided with road signs and fencing.
Escaping through a nearby alleyway, the group were met by Mr Fanelli who had come out of his home having heard the commotion.
Unable to follow the group, Bennison returned to the pub where Papworth had remained. A short while later, driving in convoy, Bennison and Papworth located the group in Tithe Farm Road where the violent attack, described in court as "utterly senseless and at a level that was truly incredible", continued.
The court heard how Bennison got out of his vehicle and stabbed Mr Fanelli twice in the chest. Mr Fanelli was found to have no defensive wounds.
The third victim, who had also been involved in the earlier altercation in the pub, attempted to defend Mr Fanelli but was over-powered by Bennison and stabbed eight times in quick succession to the back and neck.
Bennison then attacked Mr Howard from behind, stabbing him in the neck. A post-mortem examination later revealed the blow damaged Mr Howard’s spinal cord, causing instant paralysis. Before returning to his vehicle, Bennison also kicked Mr Howard in the head as he lay in the road.
Despite being critically injured, the second man stabbed by Bennison attempted to help Mr Howard, at which time Papworth drove at the pair in his Volkswagen Golf. Unable to move, Mr Howard was killed as he was run over by Papworth, who drove for a short distance with Mr Howard trapped beneath the vehicle.
Within an hour of the fatal attack, Bennison had abandoned his BMW in north London. Papworth’s vehicle was located in Chalton, near Luton, where it had been set alight in an attempt to interfere with crucial evidence.
The pair were convicted for their involvement in the incident and are due to be sentenced on Thursday 3 August.
Anthony Bennison was found guilty of two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, three counts of attempted Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) with intent. The jury found Bennison not guilty on three counts of attempted murder and two counts of attempted GBH.
Nicholas Papworth was found guilty of One count of murder in relation to Patrick Howard; Two counts of attempted murder, Two counts of attempted GBH. Papworth was found not guilty of the murder of Mr Fanelli, three counts of attempted murder and one count of GBH.
Two other men, Mark Griffith 41, of Leagrave High Street, Luton, and Curtis Long, 32 of Hallwicks Road, Luton, were previously charged in connection to the incident but will face no further action.
Detective Chief Inspector Sam Khanna, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “The level of violence used, and injuries sustained by the victims in this attack, is truly deplorable.
"Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of Mr Fanelli and Mr Howard, as well as the surviving victim, who will have to carry the fateful events of that night with him for the rest of his life.
“Despite the trauma experienced, I hope that today’s conviction provides the victims and their loved ones with some reassurance that Papworth and Bennison will be punished for their appalling crimes.
“This case involved sifting through countless hours of CCTV footage in order to piece together the events that led to the deaths of Mr Fanelli and Mr Howard, and the critical injury of another man. I would like to commend my team on their dedication that supported us in getting this positive result.
"I would also like to mention the witnesses who showed great bravery in firstly coming forward and secondly providing their evidence in court.
“This incident has undoubtedly left a long and lasting impact on a very small and tight-knit community. I am incredibly pleased that those responsible for this heinous crime have been convicted for their actions, and would ask for the wider community’s continued support in ensuring that Houghton Regis never experiences this type of senseless violence again.”
