Lewis Daynes

Computer engineer Lewis Daynes, would often talk to younger children in online gaming forums. Over a period of months he built up a friendship with 14-year-old Breck Bednar. He sent him a mobile phone, and instructed him on how to lie to his parents. In the weeks before the murder,m Daynes purchased items he would not normally buy, including duct tape, condoms, syringes, and cable ties.

17th February 2014, Breck Bednar told his parents he was at a sleep-over at a friend’s house close to their home in Caterham, Surrey, but he secretly travelled to meet up with Daynes at his flat in Grays Essex. Once he was there, Daynes used duct tape to tie his young victim by his wrists and ankles before knifing him in the throat, causing him to die within seconds. Later, a post-morteum showed there had been sexual activity prior to death.

After the murder, Daynes took a shower and changed his clothes before he called 999, claiming in a seemingly calm voice that he had stabbed Breck while trying to stop him from taking his life. During the call, Daynes claimed he and the 14-year-old had got into an “altercation”, adding: “Only one of us came out alive.”

During the call, Daynes claimed he and the 14-year-old had got into an “altercation”, adding: “Only one of us came out alive.”
Daynes told the operator: “I grabbed the knife and stabbed him in the back of the neck, I believe somewhere near the brain stem. I don’t remember exactly what happened but the fight ended with me cutting his throat.” Then asked by the operator if he was saying he had killed somebody, he replied: “Yes, I am.”
When police arrived at the home in Grays, Essex,, they found Breck’s body laying on the bedroom floor. Daynes had submerged his computer equipment in water to destroy evidence.

Monday 12th January 2015, Lewis Daynes admitted murder, and is found guilty at Chelmsford crown court.

Thursday 15th January 2015, Daynes is sentenced to life, with a recommendation by the judge that he serve a minimum 25-years behind bars. Daynes will be eligible for parole in January 2040.

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