A MAN and a woman have been jailed in connection with the murder of Zelous Smyth in Crowthorne.

Mr Smythe, 27, from Camberley in Surrey, was found with a single stab wound to the chest and defensive wounds to his forearm and hand in Nine Mile Ride on November 5 2018.

He died at the scene.

READ THE FULL STORY: Crowthorne murder sees pair convicted at Reading Crown Court

Oliver Allerton, aged 27 of no fixed abode, was found guilty of murder at Reading Crown Court on May 20.

Victoria Quinton, 21, of Priestwood, Bracknell, was found guilty of manslaughter.

She was acquitted of a charge of murder at the same hearing in May.

On July 12, both were sentenced at the Old Bailey.

Allerton was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 17 years for the murder of Zelous Smythe, and Quinton was sentenced to seven years imprisonment for manslaughter.

Both Allerton, who stabbed Zelous, and Quinton, who was driving the car that collided with the victim and subsequently drove Allerton from the scene at Nine Mile Ride, knew that the victim was seriously injured and made no attempt to call the emergency services.

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Along with the murder, Allerton has also been convicted of wounding without intent and possession of a knife.

This was in relation to an incident in Reeds Hill, Bracknell, at around 1pm on October 6, 2018.

The victim, a man in his twenties, was assaulted with a knife and sustained cuts to his hands which required treatment.

Senior investigating officer, detective inspector Sally Spencer, of the Major Crime Unit, said: “Zelous Smythe lost his life that day following the despicable actions of Oliver Allerton.

“Allerton and Quinton left him on that afternoon in Nine Mile Ride, knowing he was seriously injured, and essentially they both took the decision to leave him to die at the scene of the murder Allerton committed.

“Zelous suffered from defensive wounds to his hand and forearm, along with the fatal stab wound to his chest.

“The incident unravelled in just a few minutes, enough time for decisions to be made by Allerton and Quinton which ultimately led to the murder of this 27-year-old man.

“Allerton’s actions on that day took the life of another person, Quinton’s actions resulted in a manslaughter conviction, and neither of them considered Zelous’ life during this incident and have since continued to put his family through the turmoil of a trial.

“Neither have shown any remorse with regards to the loss of life caused by them that day.

“Today will not bring back Zelous Smythe for his family and friends, but I hope the conclusion with this sentencing will start the healing process for them.”