A man who stabbed his friend to death after a drunken brawl has been sentenced to serve a minimum of 26 years in jail for the murder.

David Howard, 43, from Winchcombe Road in Carshalton was found guilty of the murder of Daniel Tyson, 43, of Paisley Terrace in Carshalton at court yesterday.

Jailing him for life this morning Howard was told he would serve a minimum of 26 years in prison.

He is one of the first to be sentenced under a law enacted in March which sets increased minimum terms for knife crimes.

Judge Jeffrey Pegden said: “Your attack was an exceptionally ferocious one.

“When you realised he was still alive and helpless you told him he wouldn't be for long and fatally stabbed him. Then, when he was dying, you repeatedly kicked him in the head”

A 14-year-old boy, who has suffered “significant trauma” from witnessing the murder, was given a special mention by the judge and a reward of £500.

Judge Pegden said: “This young man showed very real fortitude and bravery in continuing to observe a particularly ferocious attack outside this own house.”

A second man, William Scott, 54, of Winchcombe Road, also stood trial for murder but was cleared of any involvement.

Howard slashed Mr Tyson's throat before stabbing and slashing him with two different knives. Mr Tyson was found lying in the road with multiple knife wounds to the face, chest and neck in the attack in April this year.