A Bermudian man has been jailed for 30 years in England after brutally stabbing a young father to death.

Former CedarBridge rugby player Maurice Jones had pleaded not guilty to murdering Tsvetomir Genov on August 22 last year in Salisbury, Wiltshire.

However, he was convicted by a unanimous verdict last month after a two-week trial, with the jury taking a little more than an hour to reach its decision.

Yesterday, judge Timothy Mousley sentenced Jones to 30 year in jail, saying that he "could not detect any trace of genuine remorse" from the defendant.

At his trial, Jones, 25, admitted stabbing Mr Genov in Bemerton Heath, but said it was “never his intention to kill him”.

According to British newspaper reports, Mr Genov, 20, was killed while walking along Gainsborough Close — the street Jones lived on — with his 16-month-old son in a buggy.

Jones, who had recently moved to the area to live with Mr Genov's former partner, confronted him over issues relating to his son and former partner, and went on to attack him, stabbing him numerous times.

Mr Genov died at the scene and Jones fled, discarding the weapon and his trousers. But he was swiftly arrested and taken to custody after information from key witnesses and intelligence from members of the public.

Jones claimed to have had a knife only for his protection and said he had used it out of fear — claims the jury dismissed.

Jones told the police that he "lost control" after the first stab and that he was "remorseful for this man's death".

After yesterday’s sentencing, Mr Genov's family released a tribute to their son, saying he was "adventurous, independent, charming and had a good soul".

“None of us will see his smile again or hear his laughter again," they added.

"It is not fair and it is not right. We all loved him so much and we really hope that he knows that, and knows that we will all look after his little boy.

"We are so proud of him. We miss and love him so much and the huge holes in our hearts will never be filled.”

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Phil Walker, of the Wiltshire Police, said: “Sadly, this is another murder involving the use of a knife.

“The defendant purposely armed himself with a knife and left the address he was in to confront the victim before launching into a violent, unprovoked attack, ignoring efforts to stop him.

“TG was simply walking his son back to his mother’s address and did not present any danger to anyone.

“This was a violent assault in a public place and the defendant has not shown any true remorse for his actions.

“I’m pleased the jury has dismissed his defence and has found him guilty of TG’s murder.

“While today’s sentencing is the conclusion of the courts process, the indescribable grief and sense of loss for TG’s family will go on.

“I would once again like to pay tribute to them for the dignified way they have behaved at court while having to hear the awful details of how TG, who was a son, father, brother and friend, lost his life."

Mr Walker praised witnesses who were "vital in securing the conviction", adding: “If Jones hadn’t purposely taken a knife with him to meet TG, then TG would still be with us. It’s that simple.

“There can never be a good excuse to carry a knife."

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