'The moment Fabian was murdered, our whole family died'

Fabian Kacica, 19, was killed outside the Forum, in Southend, in May after two men attempted to steal his car.

Following a long trial, a jury today found 20-year-old Joe Paffey, of Old Southend Road, Southend, guilty of murder and attempted robbery.

Jobless Aidon Pearce, 20, of Treecot Drive, Leigh-on-Sea was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter and attempted robbery.

Mr Kacica was killed after the pair attempted to steal his Ford Fiesta car shortly after 9pn on Monday, May 14.

The pair will be sentenced next month.

Guilty - Paffey, left, was convicted of murder. Pearce, right, was cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter

Senior Investigating Officer DCI Daniel Stoten, of Kent and Essex's Serious Crime Directorate, said: “Fabian Kacica was a 19-year-old man from a large and loving family.

"On May 14, he was quietly going about his business with friends, when he crossed paths with the cowards Paffey and Pearce, two vile individuals who then set upon him.

“When Pearce tried to steal his property Fabian offered resistance.

"Paffey stepped forward and mercilessly stabbed Fabian, striking him with such force that the knife entered his heart causing unsurvivable injuries.

"During the trial Paffey blamed PTSD for his crime but this lie was totally exposed during cross examination.

"Paffey is a man with a long history of violence and the use of weapons. I hope for substantial sentences to keep them both locked away from the public."

DCI Stoten added: "Fabian’s family have attended court every day and displayed a huge amount of dignity and composure, as they have since the day of this awful crime. My best wishes go to them.”

Paffey has previous convictions for theft offences, drug possession and two offences relating to the possession of a knife.

A statement on behalf of Mr Kacica's family which was read by his sister said: "My parents took the brave decision to travel to England in 1999.

"The reason for this was to find a better life, with better opportunities and to secure us both an education which would last us a life time.

“My parents worked from the first week of arriving in England and continued to work up to the time of this incident.

"My family pride ourselves on being hard working honest people, who would do anything for anyone.

"Up to the point of this incident, our family were a happy, healthy unit who enjoyed life and appreciated everything that we had.

“Both Fabian and I had a fantastic childhood living in England and appreciated everything that this country has done for us."

She added: "Fabian went through school with high grades and studied business studies at South East Essex College, before taking up a job in Iceland where he worked up to the time of this incident.

“He had exemplary attendance at work and was very well thought of amongst his colleagues and managers.

“Fabian was a kind hearted, positive man who was not only a brother to me,but who was also my best friend. It’s a cliché to say but he would do anything for anyone he met. If you had any problems, he would be the first to offer help, support or guidance.

“Fabian’s life revolved around his family, he would always put us first and would go out of his way to ensure that we had everything that we needed.

"Whether this was looking after his cousins or taking mum to the shops, nothing would ever be too much for him. His general personality could brighten up the darkest of days and he was someone that you would always want by your side.

“The moment Fabian died, it was not only the death of him, but the death of our whole family. My mother and father have lost their only son and I have lost my best friend, my only sibling and the shining light of my life.

“I regularly have flashbacks from the funeral; watching my brothers coffin lowered in to the ground, knowing that I would never see him again, knowing that he would never be a part of big events in my life, or to see my children grow up. I cannot bring myself to think that we will never grow old together, laughing and joking as we so often did.

“I ask the court to, on behalf of my whole family, give a life sentence to those convicted of his death.

"They have ripped our family apart and the only type of closure that we can have in this scenario; where in reality everyone involved loses, is to go to bed knowing that the people responsible for taking our Fabian away will not be walking the streets."