Police have released the 999 call made by a murderer 20 minutes after he stabbed a man 19 times in Somerset.

The call was part of web of deceit in which the 33 year old killer tried to lay a false trail for police.

But in a trial that concluded on Monday, Meshach Caven-Thompson from London was found guilty by jury found of murdering Philip Jones at a flat in Huish Court, Writhlington, a Radstock suburb, in the early hours of Saturday, June 16, 2018.

The 33-year-old, who declined to give evidence earlier in the trial, had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

He told police that three masked men, one armed with a machete, entered Mr Jones' flat, and demanded drugs.

(Image: Avon and Somerset Police )

Caven-Thompson fled the scene and called 999 at around 2.30am on June 16.

Mr Jones was pronounced dead at the scene at 3.19am on Saturday, June 16. The trial previously heard he suffered 19 stab wounds before dying.

The 999 call, which has been released by Avon and Somerset Police hears a panicked and breathless Caven-Thompson speak to a female police operator 20 minutes after fleeing the scene.

In a call which can be heard above, he said: "Three people went into a house where I was in and I ran out.

"I was in the toilet and they come in and I hear them shout 'Where's the drugs? Where's the drugs?'"

The call handler probed for a location and Caven-Thompson said the address was 24 Huish Court in Radstock.

He was asked if the 'men' were still in the house, in which a panicked Caven-Thompson said: "I don't know, I ran out of the house.

(Image: Jennifer Mason)

"My friend (is) in there who owns the house."

The police operator asked if his friend was OK but Caven-Thompson, who said his phone battery was about to die during the 999 call, simply replied: "I ran out of the house. I left.

"One of them was chasing me".

He gave the call handler his name, and was asked who owned the flat.

Caven-Thompson replied: "My friend who is in there. I call him Bill."

The police operator then asked: "Do you know his last name?" in which Caven-Thompson remarked: "I don't know".

(Image: Artur Lesniak/Reach plc)

When questioned if the 'three men' had any weapons, Caven-Thompson commented: "They had like machetes, long knives, that sort of thing."

He was then asked: "And they were shouting about drugs?" but the call between her and Caven-Thompson ended.

Following his 999 call about the incident, he was tracked to London and pictured on CCTV that following morning on Brixton Road, in Brixton, and withdrew money from a cashpoint.

The court heard that prosecutors believe Caven-Thompson had disposed of this Northface tracksuit at some point between his journey from Radstock to London in order to hide forensic evidence connecting him to the crime, but had failed to spot the blood stain on his dark T-Shirt.

The defendant was then arrested in London just after 2pm on Sunday, June 17.

Caven-Thompson was ordered to serve a life sentence with a minimum of 21 years in prison.

"Philip Jones was described as a quiet man who kept out of trouble and he would give you his last pound if you needed it" - Judge deserves his sentence

(Image: Bristol Post)

Judge Peter Blair said: "You were convicted by a jury following a trial that lasted 10 days.

"The first day of the trial was called off as you did not get the medication for a minor skin complaint and you did not show up.

"This trial should have been dealt with many months ago but the changes you demanded for your legal representation has come at a huge public expense and has made this even worse for the victim's family and friends.

"Philip Jones was described as a quiet man who kept out of trouble and he would give you his last pound if you needed it.

"He had been a good friend to many and was much-loved by his community."

He said it is unlikely that this sentence will provide enough comfort to his family who have been 'torn apart' by the 'horrid' act.

(Image: Artur Lesniak/Reach)

The judge continued: "This murder involved a knife which was used repeatedly to stab and slash at the neck of Philip Jones.

"This is further aggravated because he was a vulnerable adult.

"It took place at his home which is a place where he should feel safe from those who commit crimes like this.

"Having killed him you did all you could to put an elaborate story together.

"You will serve a life sentence with a minimum of 21 years in prison."

"We are pleased that justice has been served for the family of Phillip Jones" - DCI James Riccio

(Image: Artur Lesniak)

DCI James Riccio, Senior Investigating Officer said: "This was a long and complex investigation in which the defendant tried several times to create red herrings to prevent suspicion from falling on him, including making the 999 call.

"We are pleased that justice has been served for the family of Phillip Jones. The court proceedings were challenging.

"However, Philip Jones' family conducted themselves with the highest level of composure, dignity and calmness throughout.

"This was a violent attack in a small community and the impact was felt by people throughout the area.

"As an organisation we will continue to tackle violent crime involving knives and work with our partners to educate around the consequences of knife crime."

Want more news?

To subscribe to our daily newsletter, enter your email address into the box at the top of this story.

To keep up to date with our latest news, follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Show more

Find our Bath Facebook page here or Somerset's can be found here

Alternatively, follow us on Twitter - @BathLive and @SomersetLive