Tony McDermott murder: Nicholas Ward stabbed friend 51 times

A man who inflicted 51 knife injuries on his friend and then left him for dead has been convicted of his murder.

Tony McDermott, 38, died after he was subjected to more than two hours of violence by 37-year-old Nicholas Ward, who falsely accused him of stealing his work computer after a drinking session.

He denied murdering him at their shared house in Grantham in October 2023.

However, a jury at Lincoln Crown Court unanimously found Ward guilty of murder and he is due to be sentenced on 2 May.

During the trial, jurors heard Mr McDermott died from heavy blood loss after one of the stab wounds went all the way through his left leg.

Prosecutor Simon Ash KC told the court Ward, who worked for National Grid, lost his temper after wrongly accusing Mr McDermott of stealing a couple of devices.

Mr Ash said Ward inflicted 51 knife wounds, including 11 stab wounds and five "chop wounds" on his victim.

He said the two men, who had been friends for more than 20 years, were drinking at Ward's home in Eton Street, Grantham, on the evening of 13 October.

The court heard how after the attack Ward fled the property without calling the emergency services.

However, Ward did make a number of incriminating phone calls to three friends, the court heard.

Ward claimed to the jury he was struck first by his housemate and the fatal injury to his leg was caused accidentally.

However, Mr Ash said Ward "lied and lied again" to cover up his repeated attacks.

Judge Simon Hirst said Ward's claim that he could not remember two hours of the evening was "absolute nonsense."

Ward, who also denied a second charge of manslaughter, gave no reaction as the jury returned their guilty verdict, despite sobbing while giving evidence during the trial.

Lincolnshire Police said the two gadgets were later recovered by the police in a bag belonging to Ward.

Det Ch Insp Jennifer Lovatt, from Lincolnshire Police, said: "Ward's actions were completely and utterly unnecessary, and brutal.

"Ward's belief that Tony had stolen from him, which then prompted such anger, had no foundation whatsoever.

"Had he checked his own bags properly, and listened to his friend who both denied stealing from him and pleaded with Ward to believe him. Tony's family would not be without their loved one today.

"This attack was sustained and cruel."

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