A THUG who murdered a French chef as he left an open-air concert in Southend has been jailed for at least 23 years.

Karl Wills, 22, killed Reynald Duchene, 37, after stabbing him in the heart outside the event in Priory Park.

Yesterday, Judge Charles Gratwicke said Wills had extinguished the life of an innocent and decent man.

Wills, of Cranley Road, Westcliff, denied murder, but was found guilty two weeks ago following his two-week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Sentencing him, Judge Gratwicke said: “Mr Duchene had gone out that night to a classical concert with his fiancee, her children and their friends.

“It had been a pleasant evening and Mr Duchene was not looking for trouble. You viciously and callously plunged that knife into his heart.

“As a result an innocent and decent man had his life extinguished.”

Mr Duchene, of Arlington Square, South Woodham Ferrers, became involved in a row with Wills in Priory Crescent, after leaving the annual Concert in the Park event, on Saturday, June 26. Wills was trying to force Mr Duchene’s fiancee, Paula Haddlesey, to hand over her picnic chairs, when the chef stepped in to protect her.

Wills stabbed Mr Duchene once in the chest and left him to die. He was arrested in Southend four days later.

Yesterday Judge Gratwicke added: “A mother has lost her son, brothers have lost a brother, and a fiancee, who had hoped for a long and happy future with Mr Duchene, had her hopes dashed by your actions.

“You have two previous convictions for carrying a kitchen knife. You knew full well of the seriousness and dangers of carrying knives.

“The only sentence I can give is a sentence of life imprisonment.”

Michelle Brown, district crown prosecutor, was pleased with the sentence. She said: “Wills can no longer pose a danger to society. He went out that evening, to what should have been an enjoyable family event.

“Instead he armed himself with a knife, with nothing more than the intention to do someone harm.

“He inflicted a single stab wound to the heart of his victim, which caused massive internal bleeding and ultimately resulted in the tragic death of Mr Duchene. Because it was an internal injury he had no chance of getting any help.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family at this difficult time.”