Two Murder Convictions Over Brutal Exmouth Drug Gang Stabbing
Two men have been found guilty of murder, while three others were convicted of manslaughter following a savage gang attack in Exmouth last year.
Fatal Revenge Stabbing Ends Young Life
Denva Smith, 24, was chased and stabbed in the arm in the early hours of 31 May 2025. The wound caused him to bleed to death after he collapsed in a garden. Thomas Ward, 25, delivered the fatal blow, while Ben Mason, 24, was caught pursuing Denva after the attack. Both men denied murder but were convicted after a tense trial.
Three More Men Convicted in Deadly Drug Gang Attack
Joining Ward and Mason, three others were found guilty of manslaughter: 24-year-old Zac Davies and 27-year-old Ben Helliker, both from Exmouth, plus 24-year-old Dylan Chadwick from St Helens. All five took part in the planned, ruthless group assault.
Revenge and Rivalry Spark Brutal Killing
The bloody attack was born from a violent drug feud. Denva had previously assaulted Mason, who swore revenge. Meanwhile, Ward, once Denva’s closest mate, turned against him over a messy love triangle. Prosecutors revealed they aimed to rob Denva’s stash of cocaine that night.
The ambush began just after midnight on Dinan Way as Denva and a friend walked home. Ward stabbed Denva during a heated confrontation on a roadside embankment. Despite desperate attempts to flee, Denva collapsed in a garden, dying as he called for help. Witnesses and CCTV footage traced the gang’s movements—including a return to retrieve Denva’s discarded shoes from a bin.
Investigation Wraps Up With Strong Verdicts
Detective Inspector Guy Biggar praised the jury and thanked Denva’s family for their resilience. The judge described the case as “extraordinarily difficult and complex” and has scheduled sentencing for early May.
Charlotte Ream of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Denva Smith was the victim of a brutal, targeted attack that tragically ended his life. Today’s verdicts remind us that carrying knives only leads to tragedy. Our thoughts remain with Denva’s family and young children.”
