A 15-year-old boy has been found guilty of murder after a man was stabbed in the heart in a row over the youths messing around in a supermarket's toilets.
Ian Kirwan was found critically injured after being knifed in front of horrified shoppers at the Asda store in Redditch, Worcestershire, in March last year.
The 53-year-old, who worked as a software engineer for Jaguar Land Rover and left behind a dedicated wife, died at the scene despite the best efforts of medics and an off-duty nurse.
Jurors cleared three other youths – two aged 14 and one aged 16 – of murder and manslaughter but found them guilty of violent disorder at Birmingham Crown Court.
A fifth boy, aged 16, was acquitted of murder, manslaughter and violent disorder, having claimed he was not involved in the fatal confrontation and could not have predicted it. They all denied charges of murder, manslaughter and violent disorder.
The 15-year-old, who previously admitted possession of a knife, was found guilty of murder on Wednesday morning and would be sentenced at a later date.
During the trial CCTV footage from the supermarket captured the confrontation outside.
Prosecutor Benjamin Aina KC stated the knife was out in view for up to 20 seconds as it passed from the 15-year-old's hands to the 14-year-old's.
The CCTV also showed Mr Kirwan kick out 'Karate-style' at one of the boys before the others 'surrounded' him, the court was told.
Jury the trial prosecutor Mr Aina told jurors: "About 7.15pm in the evening Ian Kirwan went into Asda and entered the customer toilets. When he did so he came into contact with a group of five young males who were messing about in the toilets.
"A little later he left the Asda store and some of these boys were outside. He challenged them 'why were you messing about in the toilet?', words to that effect, and a scuffle broke out.
"During that scuffle Ian Kirwan was stabbed once to his heart with a knife and he died before getting to the hospital. He was just 53-years-old at the time of his death."
The court heard that the five defendants were part of a larger group of 11 who travelled from Birmingham to Redditch on the train.
During the journey a fight broke out among them which involved punches being thrown.
The court heard some passengers were also concerned about their general misbehaviour which included standing on seats. Train cameras captured a knife sticking out of the pocket of one of the boys.
As they walked from Redditch railway station to Asda there was another incident at a nail bar in which members of the group stole a drink and grabbed a wrench, the court heard.
Mr Aina told the jury: "Clearly their behaviour, if they were acting as a pack on the train and if they were acting as a pack in the nail bar, if that's what you find, that may inform your judgement as to what they were doing at Asda."
The trial also heard the principal defendant was taken to the police station by his mother.
Mr Aina said: "She said her son had confessed to a murder in Redditch. The police attended the front counter of the police station and spoke with her and she said: 'Something happened last night in Redditch.
"I was informed the little gang he hangs about with a couple of people have been arrested. So I have taken him out of school and asked him was he with those people. He said he was with them and he killed somebody last night'."
In his interview the 14-year-old stated at Asda the large group split up with six of them going inside to 'rob and steal' while he and his four co-defendants remained outside before heading into the customer toilets, jurors heard.
He claimed that in the fight outside he only wanted to 'scare' Mr Kirwan with the knife and 'forgot' he had it in his hand when he 'punched' him, the court heard.
Mr Kirwan's devastated family paid tribute to the "warmest and kindest" husband who had the "daftest sense of humour" and was a talented musician and animal lover.
In a statement released via West Mercia Police, they said: "We are completely devastated by the loss of Ian.
"He was the warmest, kindest man who loved his family and friends dearly.
"Anyone who knew him would have known him to be both intelligent and humble and there for anybody in need.
"He worked as a software engineer contractor for Jaguar Land Rover, a job he loved and was incredibly passionate about. His colleagues are shaken by his loss.
"Ian had the warmest, silliest, daftest sense of humour that you couldn't help loving and laughing at.
"He brought great comfort to those around him and gave the best bear hugs that made you feel safe, protected and loved.
"With a fun and happy home life he was an absolute home bird who enjoyed nothing more than time with his wife, family and close friends.
"A loving uncle, not just to his three nephews but also to his friends' children too.
"His silliness, sense of adventure and love of science and nature made him such a fun uncle to spend time with.
"Not only did he bring happiness and fun to his nieces and nephews, they brought him great joy too as he doted on them.
"Ian was an accomplished musician who loved music and was a talented guitar player.
"He was also passionately concerned about caring for the planet and justice for others - he had more than his fair share of compassion and showed it every day.
"An avid animal lover, he loved his rabbits and cat and spoiled them rotten, giving them attention way before greeting his wife.
"He also often rescued and cared for injured and lost animals.
"After sharing 20 years together, Ian leaves behind a loving wife who is heartbroken and describes him as her absolutely favourite person.
"She has now been robbed of her future with him. He also leaves behind a devastated sister and sister-in-law, and their two young boys, who will miss out on all of the fun and silly memories that they should have created with him.
"But his close friends were his family too and he was always there for them when they needed him. They are all now shocked and broken by Ian's death.
"In this terrible time we have really appreciated the warmth of so many people who have come together to support us."
The family added: "No one ever imagines losing someone in this terrible way, so senseless and needlessly.
"A hole has been created in our lives that can never be filled but the love and support we have received is helping us begin to try to find a way to work through this awful tragedy."
