A TEENAGE boy has been found guilty of the murder of a dad-of-three who confronted him after his daughter was taunted.

James Markham, 45, was stabbed in the back, armpit and chest by the boy, who had already been banned from the area by a criminal behaviour order.

The Old Bailey was told the neighbourhood in Chingford, East London had become a hotspot for antisocial behaviour.

Stone mason Mr Markham grabbed a drill bit and went out to confront the group of youths in August last year after daughter Chloe was verbally abused.

A Met Police spokesman said: "A member of James's family saw a dispute, but her view was restricted and she hadn't realised it was James who the teenagers were arguing with.

"James had approached the group with a drill bit in an apparent attempt to scare them off.

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"One of the group advanced, armed with a knife, and the pair began swinging at each other.

"James was struck three times – in the back, armpit and chest. The latter injury pierced his lung and would prove fatal.

"A member of the public who had tried to intervene came to James's aid as the teenager and the rest of the group fled the scene.

"James's frantic family rushed down from their home to try to help him."

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Cops who dashed to the scene began CPR. Despite their efforts, Mr Markham couldn't be saved.

Witnesses later said his wife Candice's screams could be heard throughout the street as he died in her arms.

The killer teen had dropped his phone as he ran. He was quickly arrested, making no comment in police interviews.

The boy, now 15, cannot be named for legal reasons. He will be sentenced on August 26.

He was also convicted of possession of an offensive weapon.

Mrs Markham told the Mirror after her husband's death that gangs of teens had been terrorising Chingford "just doing what they like".

"There's no police. They're kids – 14 and 15," she said.

“My daughter didn’t know them, one of her friends knew one of them from school.”

Detective Inspector John Marriot of the Met said: "James was a loving family man who leaves behind a partner and three children.

"That day they were met with a horrific scenario that no family should have to endure. I hope this conviction will provide them with some small measure of comfort as they continue to grieve James."

MURDERER TEEN

He said the killer should "never have been in the area" in the first place after being handed a Criminal Behaviour Order, which he had repeatedly flouted.

After Mr Markham's death, friends paid tribute to a "lovely man".

One said: "He would wake up at 5am, come back 6pm, doing the daily routine with the kids, always with the kids.

"We are devastated for Jamie. He was kind, a good person, someone who will always be there for you.

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"Anything that you need, he'll always be there, fixing anything that you need from the house.

"He was always working. He was a very good person, a man with a good heart, a good soul, he didn't deserve that."

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