Three men from the same family were found guilty today (March 8) over the 2016 murder of Scott Wilkinson in Walton.

Shane Crawt, 19, of Old Lodge Lane, Purley, Lenny Crawt, 18, of Down Street, West Molesey, and Charlie Smith, 24, violently attacked 48-year-old Scott Wilkinson on an island near Sunbury Lock, Walton-on-Thames, in July 2016.

Shane and Lenny Crawt were both found guilty of murder and Mr Smith was found guilty of Manslaughter at Guildford Crown Court today.

They will be sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Tuesday (March 12).

The jury heard how the Crawt brothers and their cousin Mr Smith attacked Mr Scott before fleeing the island and destroying their clothing. They then boasted of "killing someone" to people they knew.

Mr Scott’s body was found in the water the following day, four days after he arrived on the island to pursue his love of fishing.

The trio were initially arrested within four days of the murder but were released under investigation while the lengthy and complex investigation continued. All three were later charged with murder on 18 July 2018 after being re-arrested.

Surrey Police said that Mr Scott was an avid fisherman and would often spend days at a time camping and fishing on the island, known locally as Donkey Island.

Mr Scott was violently attacked by the Crawts and Mr Smith.

Together they punched, kicked and hit Scott using a large piece of wood. They also used a knife to injure him.

The attack was so violent that they caused catastrophic head injuries, leaving Scott for dead.

The three believed they had killed Scott, however police said he lived for at least two hours before he died as a result of his injuries.

Mr Scott's parents David and Janet Wilkinson paid tribute to him in a statement published by Surrey Police.

Mr and Mrs Wilkinson said: "Scott was a loving, affectionate and caring son, brother, father, grandfather, nephew and partner.

"It has been over two years since we had to say goodbye to Scott and whilst time has allowed us to grieve, the sense of injustice at the loss has remained with us.

"The knowledge of the circumstances of Scott’s death are an unbearable burden which we will have to carry for the rest of our lives.

"Our memories of him however will outshine the horrendous events which took place on that small island in the Thames.

"Whilst we are happy with the outcome in court, today is not the end of the grief we feel. It is a step. Another step forward without him."