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Leanne Meecham death: Stepfather guilty of murder Leanne Meecham death: Stepfather guilty of murder
(35 minutes later)
A man has been found guilty of the "violent and vicious" murder of his stepdaughter, who was also his former lover.A man has been found guilty of the "violent and vicious" murder of his stepdaughter, who was also his former lover.
Leanne Meecham, 26, was stabbed at her house in Westcliff-on-Sea, in February. She later died in hospital. Leanne Meecham, 26, was stabbed at her house in Westcliff-on-Sea, in Essex, in February. She later died in hospital.
Her stepfather and former partner Simon Meecham, 43, was found guilty of her murder at Chelmsford Crown Court.Her stepfather and former partner Simon Meecham, 43, was found guilty of her murder at Chelmsford Crown Court.
Judge Charles Gratwicke told Meecham he should prepare himself "for a substantial term of imprisonment." Judge Charles Gratwicke told Meecham he should prepare himself "for a substantial term of imprisonment".
During the trial, Meecham told the jury he injured Miss Meecham by mistake, not realising he was holding a knife. During the trial, Meecham, from Rosewood Lane in Shoeburyness, told the jury he injured Miss Meecham by mistake, not realising he was holding a knife.
He will be sentenced at a later date. He said he had tried to kill himself after leaving her house in Park Street on 13 February.
A post-mortem examination found she suffered brain damage, caused by a lack of oxygen, after she was stabbed in the windpipe.
'Jealousy and anger'
The court heard Meecham, who was previously married to Miss Meecham's mother Jane, had a serious drink problem.
Police had been called to disturbances at the house on Park Street on numerous occasions.
In January, he was arrested and pleaded guilty to common assault, leading to him and Miss Meecham splitting up.
During the murder trial, he denied being controlling, and threatening to kill his stepdaughter when she started up a relationship with someone new.
The prosecution said he was "motivated by jealousy and anger" at her new relationship.
The jury deliberated for four hours before returning a unanimous guilty verdict.
Meecham will be sentenced at a later date.