A man stabbed a fellow gym-goer in a savage attack which left his victim covered in blood after being stabbed 17 times.

Charles Riddington, who denied murder, was found guilty following a two-week trial at the Old Bailey in London today.

WATCH: Charles Riddington caught on airport CCTV fleeing the country the day after murdering George Barker

The 37-year-old killed friend George Barker, who was from South Darenth, near Dartford, at a kickboxing gym in Swanley in 2016.

He went on the run for two years before eventually being tracked down by police in northern Cyprus, where he was arrested and deported to southern Cyprus before being brought back to the UK.

Riddington is now facing life in prison after being convicted by a jury this morning.

The court heard how Riddington went to the Double K Gym in Stable Lane, Bexley on November 14, 2016 shortly after 9am along with three other men.

Mr Barker arrived about 30 minutes later and witnesses described seeing the pair together frequently at the gym training or talking to each other.

Witnesses told detectives from the Metropolitan Police they had heard Riddington accuse Mr Barker of "going behind his back" before punching him repeatedly, drawing a knife and stabbing him in the head and body.

He then pursued Mr Barker through the gym and continued the brutal attack and continuing to stab the 24-year-old, who died at the scene.

Terrified gym members went to Mr Barker's aid but were ordered by Riddington's accomplices "not to get involved".

After the attack, Riddington - who was still carrying the weapon - and the other three men fled.

A post-mortem examination found 17 stab wounds to Mr Barker's body including several defensive injuries to his arms and concluded the cause of death was stab wounds to his chest and abdomen.

He was first identified as a suspect by detectives but searches at his addresses found he had been using an alias for more than 10 years.

Documents found in the property revealed passports and a driving licence under the name of Barry Ryan.

He left the country on a flight from Manchester to Dusseldorf the day after the murder under the fake name.

"We may never know the exact reason for this dreadful murder, but we can be sure it was a vicious and protracted assault..." Det Ch Insp Laurence Smith

A warrant was issued for his arrest as he was now a fugitive in Europe with detectives issuing a European Arrest Warrant.

He was arrested last August after he was detained by local police in northern Cyprus as part of an investigation where it was found he was living under another alias - Ricky de Bruin on a Namibian passport.

Riddington returned to the UK on November 8 - almost two years after the murder.

Det Ch Insp Laurence Smith, who led the investigation, said: "My thoughts are with the family and friends of George Barker, I hope today’s conviction will bring them some small comfort.

"We may never know the exact reason for this dreadful murder, but we can be sure it was a vicious and protracted assault.

"The post-mortem found 17 separate wounds to Mr Barker’s head and body and Riddington was obviously determined to inflict the gravest harm. He ignored Mr Barker’s pleas to stop, as he ruthlessly stabbed and pursued him through the gym. Those members of the public who witnessed this barbarity were terrified and left traumatised by the events.

"Riddington tried to evade responsibility for his crime and, using a false name and passport, he sought to hide abroad; but we were determined to find him and bring him to account. After extensive enquiries and appeals he was located in Cyprus and brought back to be charged.

"This case underlines that those who commit violent crime will be relentlessly pursued and made to face the consequences of their actions."

Searches at Riddington's property after the murder found a stun gun and CS spray. He admitted two charges of possessing a prohibited weapon at the start of the trial.

Riddington is due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey on September 20.

To read more of our in depth coverage of all of the major trials coming out of crown and magistrates' courts across the county, click here.

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