Matthew Mason jailed for life for murder of Alex Rodda

Matthew Mason, of Ollerton, hit Pickmere teenager Alex Rodda 15 times with a spanner before leaving him for dead in Ashley near Altrincham on December 12 2019.

The 20-year-old killer was found guilty of murder at Chester Crown Court with earlier this month.

Today, Monday, he returned to the court to be sentenced and was handed a life imprisonment with a minimum term of 28 years.

The scene of the murder and, inset, Alex Rodda

Mason had admitted bludgeoning the Holmes Chapel Community School pupil to death during the vicious assault in December 2019, but denied murder – arguing that he had experienced a loss of control after being blackmailed by the teenager.

However, a jury found him guilty by a majority of 10 to two.

Sentencing, judge Steven Everett said: "This was a pre-meditated murder carefully planned and, in my judgment, ruthlessly carried out – showing no empathy for your victim and a callous disregard for his family and friends."

Mason drove his young victim to a remote wooded area on the night in question and subjected him to a ferocious and merciless attack.

After committing his attack, the killer left his victim alone in the woods and disposed of Alex’s mobile phone.

His partially clothed body was found by refuse collectors on a country lane the following morning.

The killer then visited the Red Lion pub in Pickmere and the Golden Pheasant pub in Plumley, where he had a drink with friends before making his way home.

Speaking after the verdict was delivered, Alex’s family said: "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."