A 28-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for stabbing a former friend 31 times and dumping his body in Radlett.

Warehouse worker Roland Balasko, 28, of Harlow, Essex, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday, after being found guilty of the murder of Zolton Keszey, also from Harlow.

Police were called to a fight in St Andrew’s Meadow, Harlow, in the early hours of April 2. A murder investigation was launched and Balasko arrested the same day. The next day, the body of lorry driver Mr Keszey, 28, was found in bushes near Porters Park Golf Club, in Shenley Hill, Radlett, with multiple stab wounds.

Sentencing, Balasko, Judge Christopher Ball QC ruled he should serve at least 19 years in prison before being considered for parole.