Man guilty over birthday murder

Paul Holcroft must serve at least 18 years in prison

A man has been convicted of murdering a Cheshire man who was stabbed to death at his 21st birthday party.

Christopher Lambert, 20, died from a stab wound at a property on Manchester Road, in Warrington, on 18 November 2007.

Paul Holcroft, 24, of Grace Avenue, in Warrington, was jailed for life after a trial at Chester Crown Court. He must serve a minimum of 18 years.

A police spokesman said it had been a "tragic" end to a happy occasion.

Det Ch Insp Paul Rumney, of Cheshire Police, said: "What should have been a happy occasion ended in tragedy and has changed many people's lives.

"This family have lost their son, days before his 21st birthday.

"They are still trying to come to terms with their loss and will never fully recover."