A TEENAGER who killed a 15-year-old boy in woodland in Cheshire after paying more than £2,000 to keep their relationship quiet has been found guilty of murder.

Nineteen-year-old Matthew Mason, of Ollerton, hit Pickmere teen Alex Rodda 15 times with a spanner before leaving him for dead in Ashley near Altrincham on December 12 2019.

Warrington Guardian:

Judge Steven Everett had asked the jury to consider whether Mason killed the Holmes Chapel Community School pupil in self defence or whether he had lost control.

Having sent the jury to retire on Wednesday, it had been unable to reach a unanimous verdict before coming to a 10 to two guilty decision this afternoon, January 7.

Speaking after the verdict, Alex’s family said: "Our son Alex was a wonderful, gentle, loving, kind, caring, respectful boy who loved life and lived life to the full.

"His precious life was cut short all too soon at the hands of Matthew Mason.

"Mason admitted killing Alex from the outset of this trial, but still felt the need to put us through the trauma of this trial in an attempt to minimise his sentence.

"He never once considered the pain it would put our family through or indeed his own family.

"We have never come across a more selfish, cold and calculating person.

"Mason has attempted to blame Alex and discredit his name throughout this trial and thankfully the jury were able to see through his web of deceit.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank the jury for coming to the right decision.

"We would also like to thank detective inspector Nigel Reid and his team of officers from Cheshire Constabulary for all their hard work over the last 12 months and in particular the family liaison officers, David Edon and Lucy Kennedy, who have supported us through this particularly difficult time."

Mason drove the youngster to a remote wooded area on the night in question and subjected him to a ferocious and merciless attack.

His partially clothed body was found by refuse collectors on a country lane next to the woods the following morning.

After committing his attack, the killer left his victim alone in the woods and disposed of Alex’s mobile phone.

He then visited the Red Lion pub in Pickmere and the Golden Pheasant pub in Plumley, where he had a drink with friends before making his way home.

Detective inspector Nigel Reid, from Cheshire Police’s major investigation team, added: "It has been a painstaking investigation involving a dedicated team of detectives.

"They have worked extremely hard to gather evidence to show the true extent of the relationship between Mason and Alex and the true picture of what happened that night.

"I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to Mr and Mrs Rodda for their patience and support throughout the investigation.

"The true extent of Mason and Alex’s relationship could not have been done without the bravery and courage of Alex’s friends.

"They provided key information to the investigation, despite their grief and heartache, in order to secure justice for their friend.

"Mason had murder on his mind as he drove Alex to his death under the pretence of sexual activity.

"He chose a secluded place to kill him in cold blood, a place he believed he would go unseen and his crime undetected.

"Alex was a popular young boy who was much loved by his family and friends.

"I hope the conviction of Mason helps Alex’s family and his close friends to come to terms with such a terrible tragedy.

"My thoughts continue to be with them all."