A MAN has been found guilty of murder after stabbing a father multiple times in a “brutal and violent” attack in Salisbury.

Alfie Miller, 22, of Willow Drive, Durrington, was found guilty of murdering Darren Hughes, 52, following a three-week trial at Winchester Crown Court and is due to be sentenced today (December 17).

On May 2, Miller agreed to meet with Darren at Darren’s address in Davies Road, Longhedge.

The pair consumed alcohol and various drugs including cocaine and cannabis through the night.

At around 7.45am the following morning, Miller stabbed Darren multiple times in the bathroom with a kitchen knife, before leaving the address and shouting for neighbours to call police.

Miller admitted manslaughter, denying murder. He initially claimed Darren had made repeated, unwanted advances towards him and he had been acting in self-defence, before relying on a defence of ‘loss of control’ in court.

This was dismissed by HHJ Dugdale and a jury found Miller guilty of murder.

Alfie Miller stabbed his victim multiple times.

In a tribute to Darren, his family said the outcome was the only one they could have accepted and they urged people commenting on social media to consider the impact on his son.

“Please could we ask people that if you are tempted to make negative or speculative comments on social media that you stop before you type,” they added.

“Please ask yourself how you would feel if this was a member of your own family. Darren had a young son who does not deserve to read those types of comments about his much-loved dad.

“We want to thank Wiltshire Police and the Crown Prosecution for their hard work in securing the correct verdict.

“We also want to thank all those people who we know tried so hard to help Darren in what we know must have been a horribly shocking and distressing situation for them.

“No one deserves to die in the horrific and violent way that Darren did, and this had been very hard for us all to accept.

“We can only ask now that we can be left in peace to grieve and come to terms with the loss of Darren.”

Senior investigating officer DI Darren Ambrose from the major crime investigation team said: “This was a brutal and violent attack against a defenceless victim, and my thoughts remain with Darren’s friends and family at this difficult time.

“Miller left the flat following the attack, leaving Darren to die in his own bathroom. Upon his arrest, he immediately admitted stabbing Darren but claimed to be acting in self-defence.

“Darren was completely unarmed, however, and was preparing to get into the shower when Miller murdered him.

“I am pleased the jury found him guilty of murdering Darren. This is the only outcome that truly reflected this horrendous crime and has at least provided Darren’s family with a feeling that justice has been done.”