THREE people have been found guilty of murdering Escomb teenager Simon Everitt.

Maria Chandler, Jimi-Lee Stewart and Jonathan Clarke were convicted by a jury at Norwich Crown Court of tying the 17-year-old to a tree, dousing him in petrol, and setting him on fire.

His body was found dumped in a swamp near Great Yarmouth after he was apparently murdered as the result of a tangled love affair.

The court heard that his killing was inspired by spoof horror film Severance, in which a young woman is tied to a tree, doused in petrol and then set alight.

Norwich Crown Court was told that detectives established that the retribution killing had been carried out in a manner almost matching the film scene.

A statement read outside court on behalf of Simon's family said: "Simon was a loving son and brother. He loved life and lived it to the full, never wanting to waste a minute.

"Because of this terrible crime against him, Simon will never ever be able to fulfil his many plans.

"His death was horrific and should never happen to anyone.

"His death has left a gaping hole in our lives.

"The nature of his death can only make this recovery period longer for his family."