Two boys, 14, found guilty of murdering Oliver Stephens, 13, in Reading park

Olly’s family described the youngster as ‘an enigma’ who ‘could get his own way with a wry smile and a cheeky grin’

Two 14-year-old boys have been found guilty of murdering a teenager who was “lured” to a park in Reading and fatally stabbed.

Oliver Stephens, 13, known as Olly, received stab wounds to his chest and back after a short scuffle at Bugs Bottom field in Emmer Green, on January 3.

He had been convinced to go to the park by a 14-year-old girl where he was then “ambushed” by two boys, Reading Crown Court heard.

The girl and the older of the teenage boys had both previously admitted manslaughter. None of the three can be named for legal reasons.

On Monday afternoon, the jury found the two boys guilty of murder after deliberating for just over 18 hours.

In a statement issued through police after his death, Olly’s family described the youngster as “an enigma” who “could get his own way with a wry smile and a cheeky grin”.

They added: “An Olly-sized hole has been left in our hearts.”

The court heard both of the male attackers had “grievances” with Olly, while the girl is said to have described any violence against him as “karma” in the run-up to his death.

The younger boy, who was 13 at the time, used a knife to stab Olly while the older boy was fighting with him, the court previously heard.

The girl, also 14, who was present at the scene during the attack had earlier admitted manslaughter along with the older boy.

The younger boy had also admitted perverting the course of justice by disposing of clothing worn at the time of the killing, while the older boy admitted the same offence for deleting mobile phone applications.

Jurors were told they had shared several messages on Snapchat in the days leading up to Olly’s death, which demonstrated hostility towards him.

The girl said in one message to one of the defendants: “Karma - he (Olly) deserves all of this.”

The older boy also said: “I actually hate the kid with a passion - if I was to see him right now I’d probably end up killing him.”

Alison Morgan QC, prosecuting, had said that Olly was “unknowingly walking into an ambush.”

Ms Morgan QC said: “(The girl) lured Olly to the location of the attack, in a place called Bugs Bottom, and she lured him to allow the attack to be carried out by the two defendants.

“The defendants were motivated by perceived grievances with Olly.”

A woman who was at the scene said in a witness statement a number of punches were thrown, although the boys acknowledged that Olly was getting the better of the fight.

It was during the fight when the younger boy stepped in and stabbed Olly.

Ms Morgan went on to say of the witness: “She could see blood coming from his chest and heard sucking sounds, which she knew was not a good sound as air was not getting into Olly’s lungs.

“She noticed the shock was setting in and knew he was in cardiac arrest and began CPR on him.”

It was also heard the boys “encouraged” others to search local news following the incident.

The court heard that the older boy messaged a friend: “Me and my boy slapped him up but my boy backed out and f****** shanked him.”

Ms Morgan said: “There was no sign of any regret and no suggestion he was in any way shocked.”

The younger boy also told a female friend in a message “it was the biggest mistake of my life” and he carried out the alleged attack “out of pure anger”.

The three teenagers will be sentenced at a later date.

Additional reporting by PA