A man from Dagenham has admitted murder following a machete attack in South Ockendon last summer.

Daniel Boakye, 30, of Western Green, admitted killing Daniel Adger, 35, and being concerned in the supply of cocaine at Basildon Crown Court on Tuesday, December 19.

He and Zakaria Lahrar, 20, of Dee Close, Upminster, will be sentenced at a date to be confirmed after a jury today found Lahrar guilty of Daniel’s murder.

Connal Cocker-Dawkins, of Denmark Street, Plaistow, was found not guilty of conspiracy to murder but had previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply cocaine. The 20-year-old was today sentenced to three years in a young offenders’ institute.

The court heard how at just before 1pm on Monday, August 21, Boakye and Lahrar entered an address in Eden Green, South Ockendon.

Daniel was attacked by Boakye with a machete as he sat in a chair. He then ran outside calling for help while Boakye continued to strike him, causing injuries to his legs, body and head.

Passers-by quickly came to his aid and attempted to dress Daniel’s wounds but he died while being transferred to hospital.

Boakye and Lahrar drove from the scene in separate vehicles.

Extensive police investigation revealed the involvement of Boakye, Lahrar and Connal Cocker-Dawkins. CCTV showed Lahrar and Cocker-Dawkins meeting at a hotel in Grays shortly after the murder.

A huge police investigation followed which identified extensive telephone, CCTV and other evidence proving the involvement of Boakye and Lahrar in the attack and the supply of controlled drugs by Cocker-Dawkins.

After today’s court case, senior investigating officer, Det Chief Insp Daniel Stoten, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “Daniel Adger was deeply loved by his family and they miss him a great deal.

“His mother Diane has been present throughout the trial and has listened to evidence about her son’s suffering that no mother should have to hear.”

He called Boakye “a coward” who “inflicted the several terrible wounds that led to Mr Adger’s death.”

Lee Dowman, 51, of Lytton Road, Grays, was found not guilty of murder.