Two teenagers have been convicted of killing a woman in Colchester.

The body of mother-of-two Helen Maughan, 24, from Propelair Way, Colchester, was discovered half-naked in the River Colne on May 20 last year by a man walking by the river.

Alex Young, 17, was convicted of her murder at Chelmsford Crown Court today.

Lewis Hayward, 14, was convicted of her manslaughter.

Both boys from Colchester had attended St Helena School in the town.

They had denied the charge and blamed each other for her death between May 18 and when she was found.

The judge allowed them to be named, despite their age.

They will be sentenced at the Old Bailey next month.

  • Read the background to the Helen Maughan murder in today's Gazette