A TEENAGER has been jailed for life after a "vicious and frenzied attack" on a man at his Grays home.

Priscilla Scamp stabbed Daniel Thomas more than 30 times at his Darnley Road flat last April.

The 19-year-old showed little emotion as she was jailed for a minimum of 18 years at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday.

Scamp was told by Judge Charles Gratwicke it had been a "vicious, callous and frenzied attack".

Judge Gratwicke added: "It is clear from the medical evidence that the initial attack in which he sustained some ten stab wounds in the neck would have disabled him.

"You mounted a second attack, stabbing him 23 times in the chest and having attacked him you left the premises leaving his body to be found a month later."

Judge Gratwicke also told Scamp she "despicably blamed an innocent man for the murder".

And the judge added: "You are clearly a callous and dangerous woman, you are a serial liar prepared to go to any length to allay responsibility."

The trial heard how Scamp was living with Mr Thomas, 59, at the time of his murder.

He was last seen alive on April 12 last year, but his body was not found until Sunday, May 16.

Scamp was arrested later and the court heard how she told police a series of lies and blamed an innocent man for the murder.

She later claimed she acted in self defence after Mr Thomas tried to rape her.

Scamp, from Centurion Way, Purfleet, was convicted of murder after an 11-day trial. She did not give evidence.

Her barrister Ann Cotcher QC told the court none of Scamp's family had appeared at the trial and she had recieved no support from her extended family.

She had left school at 11, her mother disowned her and her father dissappeared when she was eight-years-old.

Miss Cotcher said: "It is difficult to know what actually happened in that flat on April 13.

"Something happened to cause this defendant to behave the way she did."

Scamp had now shown remorse and was sorry about what she had done, the court heard.

Miss Cotcher added: "She would do anything to turn back the clock."

After the case, senior investigating officer Det Chief Insp Dave Peplow said: "Mr Thomas was a vulnerable man who made friends with a number of young people, relying on them for company and friendship in return for a place to stay or hang out.

"Priscilla Scamp took advantage of him, using his lonliness to her own advantage while lodging with him.

"We may never know exactly what happened on the day he died."

He added: "This has been a long and complex enquiry and we are satified Priscilla Scamp will now serve a long prison sentence to reflect on her actions in taking the life of Daniel Thomas."