A WIRRAL man has today been convicted of murdering another man during a confrontation over a woman.

There were cheers from friends and relatives of victim John Boyd when the jury of seven women and four men returned a guilty verdict by a majority of 10 - 1.

Martin Peters, 45, of Briardale Road, Wallasey, showed no emotion when the verdict was returned at the end of the two week trial.

Mr Justice Blair adjourned sentence until tomorrow and further remanded Peters in custody.

During the trial at Liverpool Crown Court the jury heard that Peters stabbed 38-year-old Mr Boyd "through the heart" after discovering he had started a relationship with his ex-girlfriend.

The two men had known each other for a number of years and Peters erupted into violence just days after his partner Lesley McGee split up with him and he learnt of her relationship with Mr Boyd.

He went to challenge Mr Boyd at a house in Birkenhead Road, Wallasey, and armed himself with a knife.

Within minutes of arriving he had plunged the blade into Mr Boyd's heart so deeply it went up to the hilt.

Mr Boyd quickly lost consciousness and within an hour he had been formally declared dead at Arrowe Park Hospital.

Peters denied murder and claimed in court that he had been acting in self-defence after Mr Boyd had repeatedly tried to stab him.