Three men guilty of murdering Mark Noke in Thornhill flat

The 64-year-old was stabbed in the chest when a group of masked men burst into his Thornhill home to steal £30,000 of cash and drugs - thinking it was his neighbours' flat.

Yesterday, after a seven-week trial, Kieran Claffey, 29, Leighton Tabone, 24, and Justin Roach, 40, were all convicted of murder by a jury at Winchester Crown Court.

Aaron Morgan, 32, and Bradley O'Dell, 22, were both convicted of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob. 

Roach and Tabone were also convicted of conspiracy to rob. 

Claffey pleaded guilty to this charge before the trial began.

READ MORE: Mark Noke trial: Live updates as jury delivers its verdict

During the marathon trial, the jury heard how the gang plotted to steal the drugs and money from Mr Noke's neighbour Braden Lynam, who had been showing off gold, cash and watches on social media.

Prosecutor Adam Vaitilingam KC claimed that the men were 'desperate for money' and planned to use 'whatever violence was needed' to carry out their plan.

Justin Roach, Keiran Claffey and Leighton Tabone (Image: Hampshire Constabulary)

In the early hours of February 25 last year, they climbed some stairs in the block of flats in Warburton Road - but took a wrong turn at the landing and went to Mr Noke's home by mistake.

He opened the door and was confronted by the terrifying sight of the masked men and was threatened with a gun before the fatal blow was delivered.

The 64-year-old phoned 999 himself and told the operator what had happened.

His final words were urging them to send help quickly, as by the time the emergency services arrived he was dead. 

Mark Noke was murdered at his flat in Warburton Road, Thornhill (Image: Solent News))

The room remained silent as the jury returned its verdict just before 2.30pm. 

Roach lowered his head as he was convicted of murder.

All five have been remanded in custody to await sentencing.

Roach, of Steep Close; Claffey, of Keynsham Road; Morgan, of Bursledon Road; O'Dell, of West Park Road and Tabone, of no fixed address will be sentenced with two others on Tuesday at 2pm.