A CRADLEY Heath teenager who savagely stabbed a father-of-two to death after raiding his Netherton home to steal cannabis plants is facing life imprisonment.

A jury found the 19 year old guilty of murdering Simon Johnson who was stabbed four times with a  kitchen knife.

A 17 year old who was on the raid with Damilola Johnson - who is no relation to the victim - when they broke into the Cradley Road house was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter.

The two teenagers had both pleaded not guilty to murdering 41 year old Simon Johnson with the seven man-five woman jury considering the evidence for nearly six hours before returning their unanimous verdicts.

Damilola Johnson who had been living in Sidaway Road, Cradley Heath but is now of no fixed address hung his head as the panel announced their decision.

He was then further remanded in custody with the 17-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons until January 12.

Judge James Burbidge QC said that because they were both "very young" reports were necessary before sentence could be passed.

But he warned the pair they had both been convicted on extremely serious charges adding, "Significant prison sentences will follow."

The trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court had been told Simon Johnson was a "trusting" man and he revealed to a group of teenagers he was growing cannabis in a bedroom at his semi-detached home.

The group went to the house and stole cannabis plants with the 17-year-old going back later with Damilola Johnson to take more cannabis they intended smoking or selling.

They got into the property through a downstairs window but the sleeping Simon Johnson roused and he was then punched so hard his eye socket fractured before being brutally stabbed.

He suffered four wounds - three in the back - with one almost severing his aorta and his body was found on the landing hours later by a workmate.

The 17 year old who admitted the burglary charge told the jury he decided to run away as quickly as possible when he realised Simon Johnson was awake

He maintained to the jury he played no part in the killing and while he was outside the property he saw Damilola Johnson exit with blood all over his clothing and shoes.

Damilola Johnson who was also found guilty by the jury of burglary which he denied said in evidence he had not even been at the house. He had been "somewhere else" fast asleep after drinking and smoking cannabis.

Mr Simon Denison QC prosecuting said they were both linked to the killing by forensic evidence and they were jointly responsible for the crime.

Simon Johnson worked as a fitter for Black Country Glazing in Cradley Heath and he was found dead on August 11 last year.