A teenager who stabbed to death two friends outside a pub has been found guilty of double murder.
Amrit Jhagra attacked Ryan Theobald, 20, then chased and repeatedly stabbed Ryan's friend Janis Kozlovskis, 17, after an altercation in Doncaster, South Yorks.
Ryan died at the scene in the early hours of January 29 this year, while Janis died in hospital.
Jhagra, 19, claimed he was acting in self-defence, but was found guilty of murdering both men after a trial at Sheffield Crown Court.
Richard Thyne QC, prosecuting, previously told jurors that Janis and Ryan had left CoCo nightclub in the town with friends.
Janis then became involved in a fight with a friend of Jhagra, which Ryan also became caught up in.
CCTV footage showed that Jhagra approached Ryan and stabbed him before leaving him lying in the street.
As Janis ran down the street, he was chased by Jhagra, who pulled him to the ground and stabbed him multiple times.
Speaking after the verdict was given, Detective Chief Inspector Lee Townley, senior investigating officer, said: "Throughout this trial, the defendant has claimed that he acted in self-defence of his friend, however, Jhagra went out that evening in possession of a knife and he went on to use it to stab not just one but two people.
"This case lies bare the heart-breaking implications of knife crime, and I am pleased that the jury saw through Jhagra's lies and that he will now face a lengthy time behind bars.
"I would like to offer my condolences to the families and friends of both Ryan and Janis as these proceedings will undoubtedly have been both difficult and distressing for them."
Ryan's mother Lisa Theobald thanked jurors for their verdict and revealed her son had been 'scared of knives'.
She said: "Nothing can make those members of the jury, us as his family and friends or those who have watched from the public gallery 'un-see' the lives of Ryan and his friend Janis being taken so tragically.
"Even with this verdict, nothing will bring my son back. As Ryan's family we will forever miss him and seeing the man he would have become.
"Ryan had previously told me he was scared of knives. He had known locally others who had been victims of knife crime.
"I would implore those who carry knives or blades, for whatever reason, please don't. You are someone's son, brother, loved one, friend.
"I would not wish what we are going through upon any other family."
Janis' sister, Russanda Kozlovskis, said: "We have lost a loving son and brother. Janis was just coming into adulthood and he had his whole life in front of him.
"He will never fulfil his hopes and dreams and we as a family will never see the man he would have become.
"It was all tragically taken from us, in a matter of seconds, by the actions of one person, who decided to stab Janis and his friend, Ryan, to death in the middle of the street.
"More so than ever this just goes to show the devastation that arises from people illegally carrying and using knives, often over the most trivial of incidents.
"Although this offers some form of closure and we know that the defendant will spend many years in jail, we will never get over the loss of Janis."
Jhagra will reappear before Sheffield Crown Court on Thursday, August 18 for sentencing.
