Two men convicted of Exmouth murder

Three others guilty of manslaughter

A seven-week trial at Exeter Crown court has ended with two men being convicted of murder and three others of manslaughter, following the stabbing of a father-of-three in Exmouth last year.

24-year-old Denva Smith bled to death in a garden in the Dinan Way area of the town after being chased by a group in the early hours of the morning on 31 May 2025.

Thomas Ward, who's 25 of Russell Walk, Exeter and Ben Mason, who's 23 and of no fixed abode, have this afternoon been convicted by a jury.

Zac Davies, 23, of Hawthorn Grove, Exmouth, Dylan Chadwick, 23, of Cambourne Avenue, St Helens, Merseyside and Ben Helliker, 26, of Halsdon Road, Exmouth, were convicted of manslaughter. 

The prosecution claimed the accused all acted together as part of a joint plan to cause him harm.

Mr Ward told the court during the trial that he panicked and stabbed Mr Smith, his former best friend, because he thought he was under attack.

All five killers have been remanded in custody until sentencing in May.

The judge says he intends to award a commendation to a witness who tended to Mr Smith as he lay dying.

Mr Smith was walking when he was approached by the five men in a targeted attack. He was chased over a roadside crash barrier and down a grassy bank before being attacked and stabbed through his left arm with a knife, severing a key artery.

He ran, bleeding heavily and without his shoes, which he had lost in the attack. He headed to Ashfield Close, pursued by at least three of the men before collapsing, shouting for help and awakening neighbours.

Police in under 10 minutes, followed by paramedics. Mr Smith managed to provide his name and state that he had been stabbed before passing out. He was pronounced dead in the garden at 1:40am.

Charlotte Ream of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Denva Smith was the victim of a brutal, targeted attack that tragically ended his life.

“The Crown Prosecution Service worked closely with our colleagues in Devon and Cornwall Police to build our case. This showed that all five men acted together to carry out the attack, and that they therefore share joint responsibility for Denva’s death.

“In cases like these, we have to prove to the jury that each defendant played an active part in the fatal attack, not just that they were there. Thanks to a thorough police investigation we were able build a comprehensive picture of the five men’s movements that night and the role they played.

“Today’s verdicts are a reminder that the carrying of knives can only lead to tragedy and our thoughts remain with Denva’s family and loved ones, including his young children.”