A man has been convicted of murdering a former Hampshire cricketer who was stabbed to death in front of his father.

Cameron Baker knifed 30-year-old Tommy Barton after throwing boiling water over him following a dispute between the two men.

Mr Barton was found lying in Dover Street, Ryde, with stab wounds to his chest in the early hours of May 28 this year.

Following a police investigation, Baker, 28, was charged with murder.

During a trial at Winchester Crown Court, Baker, formerly of Leeds Street in Sandown, denied murder, claiming self-defence. But he was convicted today (Thursday) and will be sentenced next week.

A second man charged with murder, Rio Scott, 28, of Park Road in Ryde, was found not guilty.

Detective Chief Inspector Andrea Douglas, who led the inquiry, said: "Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Tommy Barton.

“Baker demonstrated a shocking display of extreme violence that has not only led to a young man losing his life, but has destroyed the lives of many others as a result.

“Today’s verdict is a reflection of the commitment of a large number of police officers and staff who worked tirelessly to investigate this incident and bring a case to the Crown Prosecution Service.

"The collective efforts of all involved in seeking justice for Tommy and his family have now resulted in the man responsible for his murder being convicted.”

Mr Barton, of Brading, played for Lymington’s first XI from 2007 to 2011, and the second XI in 2018.

In a statement released after his death, Lymington Cricket Club said: "Tommy joined Lymington in 2007 and went on to represent the club in 65 league and cup matches, scoring just under a thousand runs at an average of 19.

“He was a pacy opening bowler in his early days, taking 34 wickets with a best of 4-10 versus Purbrook.

“His most productive season came in 2018 when he scored 371 runs for the Second XI, including a club best of 90 against South Wilts II.

“Tommy's finest moment in a Lymington shirt arguably came at the Ageas Bowl in 2009 when his rapid 35 helped Lymo lift the Southern Premier Cricket League T20 Cup against Ventnor, an innings which earned him the man of the match award.

“In 2016, playing for Ryde Cavaliers, Tommy struck a Hampshire League record 331 not out against Portchester 3rd XI.

“Most recently Tommy had been playing for Ventnor and, ironically, one of his final cricket matches was against Lymington in a pre-season friendly in April.”