A 45-year-old man has been jailed after being found guilty of the joint murder of 16-year-old Max Dixon and 15-year-old Mason Rist.

Antony Snook, of Hartcliffe, was sentenced to life imprisonment at Bristol Crown Court today (Tuesday, November 19) after a jury found him guilty of murdering two children on Ilminster Avenue in Knowle, Bristol, on Saturday, January 27 this year.

Snook facilitated and drove the ‘getaway car’ for Riley Tolliver, from Weston-super-Mare, and three others who cannot be named due to their age.

During a six-week trial the jury was told how Snook led the ‘pack’ from Hartcliffe to Knowle West, seeking revenge following an earlier incident in Hartcliffe.

Snook was the only defendant to take the stand and present his case to jurors; Attorney General Ray Tully stated that KC did not know that the teenagers were “armed to the teeth” as he told the jury when presenting the Prosecution’s defense. case.

Snook claimed he thought he was taking them to safety and had no knowledge of their malicious intent or the weapons they had in their possession, two of which were approximately 48cm and 51cm long.

Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) Det Supt Gary Haskins, of the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT), described Snook’s defense as ‘delusional’ and ‘completely fabricated in an attempt to avoid conviction’.

He added: “Snook was the adult in this situation. He should have taken responsibility and prevented the other four defendants from committing such a heinous crime.

“We presented the basis of the joint venture to the jury; This means that even those who did not inflict any physical harm on Max or Mason did nothing to deter the others and even allegedly encouraged their actions.

“Snook played the role of facilitator and driver of the getaway car. He led them like a hunting pack around Knowle before returning to Ilminster Avenue. He then saw the attack taking place and then led them away from the scene. “If it hadn’t been for him, the children might still be alive.”

Snook became the first person arrested in the investigation, less than an hour since the initial call to police was received.

In sentencing, Mr Justice May described Snook as a ‘weak’ and ‘cowardly’ man who had multiple opportunities to stop the attack.

He added: For reasons beyond comprehension, you’ve dedicated yourself and your Audi Q2 to a mission to Knowle for revenge.

“While the jury found you guilty of murder, they flatly denied that you had taken the four children to a safe house and that they did not know they had a gun. They were sure you knew what the teenagers in your car were up to and helped them with it.

“You all went hunting for victims in the streets of Knowle; According to the prosecution’s statement, you were hunting for sharks. You’ve experienced the atmosphere of that car, you’ve felt the insane, chaotic bloodlust of four armed youths, but you still continue on your way.

“Mason and Max were tragically in the wrong place at the wrong time. Nothing can undo the terrible events of that night last January. Nothing can bring Mason and Max back. “No sentence imposed by this court can lessen the pain and sense of loss experienced by their families.”

During the sentencing hearing, Mason’s sister Chloe spoke about her “kind, sweet” brother, whom she described in court as “so vulnerable and harmless”.

Chloe added: “He wasn’t just my little brother, he was also my best friend. He was the funniest person I’ve ever met. He was silly, funny and the joker of the family. We all miss him so much in such a strong need.

“Every time I see a kid leaving school, I think he must be my older brother. Whenever I see a child having fun, I think he must be my brother.

“He would never marry or have children, he would never grow old in photographs… There were so many things he wanted to do and he was so worthy of a good life. It’s like he got lost and I’m trying to find him… Mason was a good kid who didn’t upset anyone. Everything he did was with pure kindness.

“I will never forgive you for what you did…she could have been your friend and now she is your victim.”

Max’s sister, Kayleigh, also read a statement in court directed at Snook and the other defendants.

He said: “It was 33 seconds. 33 sinister, moral seconds and my life changed.

“None of the (defendants) knew anything about my brother Max or Mason, how special and important they were to their family, how much they enjoyed knowing them, how kind they were and how much they will be missed.

“I want (the defendants) to know that they killed me that day. You ripped out my heart and soul. It is broken and cannot be repaired.

“As Max was growing up, I had so much to learn and watch from him, to teach him, to guide him in his life as an older sister, and to always be there to love and support him. “He had so much to learn and know about me, but you, with your malicious actions, deprived me of my love and memories for a lifetime.”

In addition to two life sentences that run concurrently, Snook will be sentenced to at least 38 years in prison, excluding days already served, before being eligible for parole.

Riley Tolliver and three children will be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Monday, December 16.

The judge handed the Crown Court Commendation to Det Supt Haskins, Case Manager DS Craig Basil and the case officer, DC Matthew Cron. The judge also praised the efforts of the wider investigation team and the composure displayed by the families.