TWO teenagers have received life sentences for the “brutal” murder of a talented musician in his own home on New Year’s Eve.
Jack James Hindley and Samuel Roy Jones, both 17, will spend at least 18 years behind bars for the fatal stabbing they inflicted on 35-year-old Edward Reeve.

The boys, who were aged 16 at the time of the killing, used two knives to inflict multiple wounds on Mr Reeve at his house in Heath Road, Walkford.

They showed no emotion as the sentence was handed down.

The Honourable Mr Justice Sweeney said the victim, who he described as vulnerable, suffered both physically and mentally before he bled to death.

The defendants went to Mr Reeve’s home along with three 15-year-old girls on the evening of December 31, 2021.

The girls left after feeling uncomfortable when Hindley, of Christchurch, berated the victim and punched a hole in the wall of the music room. Jones, of Bournemouth, also punched a hole in the wall.

The judge told Winchester Crown Court: “Edward Reeve did nothing to justify what happened to him during the following eight or so minutes that Jack and Sam were alone with him in the house.

“They jointly and brutally attacked him in the living room with their respective knives, with Jack, as he admits, striking the first blow. In so doing they intended to cause at least grievous bodily harm.

“Edward Reeve made desperate attempts to get away from the attack upon him, including trying to, and eventually succeeding in, getting out into the garden.”

Mr Reeve suffered eight stab wounds, four incised wounds and five superficial point scratches or punctures.

After leaving the victim’s address, the defendants were “fist bumping, laughing and hugging” before “excitedly bragging” to the girls, who they had caught up with.

The judge said: “Edward Reeve was, it is clear, much loved, with much to live for, despite his problems.

“As their victim impact statements make graphically clear, the impact of his murder on his father, mother, aunt and friends has, inevitably, been immense and will be long lasting. The court expresses its sincere condolences to all of them.”