POLICE have said praised the courage shown by the family and friends of Alex Rodda, after a teenager was found guilty of his brutal murder.

19-year-old Matthew Mason was found guilty by a majority verdict on Thursday (January 7) afternoon following a month long trial at Chester Crown Court.

Detective Inspector Nigel Reid, from Cheshire Police’s Major Investigation Team, said: "It has been a painstaking investigation involving a dedicated team of detectives.

"They have worked extremely hard to gather evidence to show the true extent of the relationship between Mason and Alex and the true picture of what happened that night.

"I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to Mr and Mrs Rodda for their patience and support throughout the investigation.

"The true extent of Mason and Alex’s relationship could not have been done without the bravery and courage of Alex’s friends.

"They provided key information to the investigation, despite their grief and heartache, in order to secure justice for their friend.

"Mason had murder on his mind as he drove Alex to his death under the pretence of sexual activity. He chose a secluded place to kill him in cold blood, a place he believed he would go unseen and his crime undetected.

"Alex was a popular young boy who was much loved by his family and friends. I hope the conviction of Mason helps Alex’s family and his close friends to come to terms with such a terrible tragedy.

"My thoughts continue to be with them all.”

Speaking after the verdict, Alex’s family said in a statement: "Our son Alex was a wonderful, gentle, loving, kind, caring, respectful boy who loved life and lived life to the full.

"His precious life was cut short all too soon at the hands of Matthew Mason.

"Mason admitted killing Alex from the outset of this trial but still felt the need to put us through the trauma of this trial in an attempt to minimise his sentence.

"He never once considered the pain it would put our family through or indeed his own family.

"We have never come across a more selfish, cold and calculating person.

"Mason has attempted to blame Alex and discredit his name throughout this trial and thankfully the jury were able to see through his web of deceit.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank the jury for coming to the right decision.

"We would also like to thank Detective Inspector Nigel Reid and his team of officers from Cheshire Constabulary for all their hard work over the last 12 months and in particular the family liaison officers, David Edon and Lucy Kennedy, who have supported us through this particularly difficult time."

David Keane, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, said: "I would like to commend the investigation team who worked tirelessly to gather crucial evidence in order to secure justice for Alex, his family and friends.

"His death shocked the local community and all those who were close to him.

"My thoughts are with them during this difficult time."