After four weeks at trial, one man has been found guilty – with another cleared – of murdering Isle of Wight man Tommy Barton.

Here, the Isle of Wight County Press examines the crime, the trial, and what happens next. 

Cameron Wayne Baker, formally of Leed Street, Sandown, and Rio Tyrell Scott, of Park Road, Ryde, both 28 years old, were accused of – but both denied – murdering Mr Barton, 30.

On Thursday, December 7, after a four-week-long trial at Winchester Crown Court, members of the jury reached a verdict.

Cameron Baker was found guilty, while Rio Scott was cleared of any involvement.

Scroll down to find out about Baker's childhood and previous jailing

What do we know about the death of Tommy Barton?

Mr Barton had seen Baker with his ex-girlfriend – who had split with Mr Barton months earlier.  They were said to be holding hands outside a bar on the Esplanade during the evening of Saturday, May 27.

They visited a friend’s house, where Mr Barton “elbowed” Baker in the head before the group moved off and visited other bars and returned to Park Road – where Rio Scott lived.

Mr Barton later arrived on Park Road in the early hours of Sunday morning (May 28) in a car driven by his 84-year-old father.

He banged on the door with his father’s walking stick, but when there was no answer, Mr Barton and his father drove away only to return a while later, the court heard.

Baker was waiting for him on his return and hurled boiling water over Mr Barton before stabbing him at least four times, twice in the chest, once in the torso and once in the leg – with a chest stab wound to the lungs and heart proving fatal.

Mr Barton staggered away from the scene in front of his father and members of the public.

First aid assistance was given to Mr Barton until the ambulance arrived but after continued life-saving efforts by the ambulance service, Tommy was pronounced dead.

See video from the police cordon back in May, below

What did the defence argue?

The court heard that Baker was outside the house when Mr Barton returned for a second time.

The defence argued that Baker and Mr Scott had been assessing damage to the property, which occurred during Mr Barton's first visit. 

Court was told Baker took a recently boiled kettle and a large knife with him, later arguing he had ‘no intention’ of using any weapons.

However, Mr Barton returned to the area and a scuffle ensued, which turned into a vicious attack on Mr Barton.

Baker claimed he thought he had stabbed Mr Barton in the leg, only later realising it was his chest.

Judge Cockrill said the defence had alleged Baker believed it had been the only way to get Mr Barton off him.

In an interview, Baker told police officers he had acted in self-defence - a defence he stuck with throughout his trial.

Mr Scott was cleared of any involvement in the altercation or stabbing.

What did the prosecution say?

Isle of Wight County Press: Cameron BakerCameron Baker (Image: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary)

While the defence claimed Baker was assessing property damage, the prosecution said he was ready and waiting for Mr Barton to return to Park Road.

Baker hurled boiling water over him and stabbed him twice in the chest, once in the torso and once in the leg, with a chest stab wound to the lungs and heart proving fatal.

The attack was described as swift and brutal.

The prosecution said Mr Barton’s father said his son “was looking for a fist fight” but Baker “just had the tools,” describing the attack as an “assassination.”

Pieces of a walking stick, along with a kettle and Baker’s missing cap and glasses, were located by police officers in a nearby bush, the court was told.

Mr Barton’s blood was found on the walking stick, cap and glasses, as well as on a shirt worn by Baker, the prosecution said. 

What did  the police say after the trial?

Detective Chief Inspector Andrea Douglas, senior investigating officer for the case, said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Tommy Barton who was tragically killed by Baker.

“Baker demonstrated a shocking display of extreme violence that has not only led to a young man losing his life but has destroyed the lives of many others as a result.

“The verdict is a reflection of the commitment of a large number of police officers and staff who worked tirelessly to investigate this incident and bring a case to the Crown Prosecution Service. 

"The collective efforts of all involved in seeking justice for Tommy and his family have now resulted in the man responsible for his murder being convicted.”

Who was Tommy Barton?

In May, following his death, tributes were paid to Mr Barton, from Brading.

His family said they were "completely shattered at the loss of Tommy. He was a father, a son, a brother, an uncle and a friend to many.

“He has been stolen from us and we are completely heartbroken. He will miss out on so much of life, particularly seeing his beloved daughter grow up.

“The world is quieter without him in it and we will never fully recover. We are grateful for the support and love that we have received and hope you will all remember him as he was - a caring and generous man that lived his life to the maximum."

Mr Barton worked at Ryde restaurant Catch and had played cricket for clubs in Ryde, Ventnor and Lymington.

At 16 he won the man of the match award in the final of the Southern Premier T20 competition at the Ageas Bowl, scoring 35 vital runs as Lymington beat Ventnor.

In that same season, a three-wicket spell in a match against the Hampshire Academy included the scalp of Hampshire captain, James Vince.

After a break, Tommy returned to cricket to play for fun, with his mates, at Ryde Cavaliers, then after another break he returned earlier this year to play for Ventnor.

Who is Cameron Baker?

Murderer Baker was no stranger to the courts.

He was jailed for 18 months in August 2021 for weapons offences.

A number of calls had been made to the police by concerned members of the public, over a group of five, possible six heavily armed males, gathered outside a residential address.

Baker and Sheen were among them, and in possession of a harpoon gun and a chainsaw.

Afterwards, Baker contacted the police to tell them he wished to surrender himself, and was taken into custody. He was found with a small wrap of cocaine.

Police seized his phone, and discovered text messages which implicated him and made references to the harpoon gun.

The court heard that Baker had had a troubled past. His parents both being heroin dependant, he suffered from anxiety, depression and psychosis.

What will happen to Baker now?

Baker, with serious previous to his name and now a murder conviction, faces a lengthy jail term.

Because he denied the offence and the matter went to trial, he will not be entitled to any reduction in sentence for a guilty plea.

He will be sentenced on Tuesday, December 12, at Winchester Crown Court.