Michael Brennan Found Guilty Of Murdering Bushey Man

4 December 2013, 06:56 | Updated: 4 December 2013, 06:58

A 23 year-old man has been found guilty of murdering another man from Bushey in a flat in Chelmsford.

The body of Paul Simons was discovered inside the building on Moulsham Street in the early hours of Saturday, 4 May. 

Tests showed the 54 year-old from Bushey in Hertfordshire had been stabbed several times. 

Michael Brennan, a cleaner from the The Green in the Melbourne area of the city, was arrested and then charged with murder. 

After a 10-day trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, he was found guilty. 

Senior Investigating Officer, DI Martin Pasmore, said: "This was a cold and calculated murder. 

"Following a thorough investigation by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, the jury have seen through Michael Brennan's defence of diminished responsibility and decided that he knew exactly what he was doing when he lured Paul Simons to Moulsham Street flat and stabbed him to death. 

"This has been a very difficult trial for Paul's family who have shown great courage and dignity throughout. I hope that this verdict will bring some closure to them and enable them to eventually move on with their lives." 

Michael Brennan has been further remanded in court custody until his sentencing at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday, 5 December.