A teenager has been found guilty of murdering a high-ranking civil servant at his country cottage after they met via the gay dating app Grindr.

Ben Bamford, 18, inflicted more than 40 injuries during a "sustained attack" on senior HM Revenue and Customs official Paul Jefferies, 52, including slashing his throat.

On February 25 police were called to Mr Jeffries' cottage at 6.15pm where he live alone in Coggins Mill Lane, Mayfield, after receving a call from an employer expressing concern for his welfare.

Mr Jefferies, who reportedly advised ex-chancellor George Osborne's Treasury team, was found naked with a tea towel over his head on his blood-covered kitchen floor.

He had significant head and neck injuries and there were signs of a struggle throughout the property but no forced entry. Mr Jeffieries grey Audi TT was also missing from his driveway. 

On February 27 Bamford handed himself into Eastbourne police station with mother stating he had been involed in a fight at an address in Mayfield.

He was arrested on suspicion of murder and later charged with murder on March 1. 

Detective Chief Inspector Tanya Jones, who led the investigation for Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, said: "This was a horrific attack by a teenage boy who preyed on his victim with the aim of exploiting him for money. 

"The level of violence he inflicted on Paul Jefferies was extreme and then he fled the scene in his victim’s car.

"He showed no remorse smirking for a photo just hours later.

"However the jury did not believe his story. Although this can never undo what he has done, I hope it will bring some justice for Paul's family, friends and colleagues."

Lewes Crown Court heard how Bamford, who had taken valium and smoked cannabis before, had sought to rob Mr Jefferies on February 23 after Bamford had built up drugs debts of around £400, which he was being pressurised to repay.

Bamford met Mr Jeffries on mobile gay dating app Grindr and had arranged to meet on three occasions - the last being on February 23 where they had oral sex. 

Bamford had sex with Mr Jefferies in the bedroom but Bamford did not like it and told him to stop.

When Mr Jeffries went to the toilet, Bamford tried to leave downstairs where he found the door locked.

He knew his clothes and his phone were upstairs and he would have go back there.

So he took a knife from the kitchen and stabbed Mr Jefferies using three knives and candle sticks, inflicting more than 40 injuries, including slashing his throat.

Bamford then fled the scene by stealing Mr Jeffries Audi TT and met with two friends to help him get to hospital for a serious injury to his hand.

It was while he waited for surgery at Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead that a friend took a photo of Bamford lying in a hospital bed smirking and flicking his middle finger up at the camera. 

Bamford, of South Street, Crowborough, denied murder, claiming he was protecting himself from Mr Jefferies after he had "come on to him" but jurors convicted him after deliberating for three hours.

The Argus: The scene of Paul Jerreries's murderThe scene of Paul Jerreries's murder

Adrian Cooper, deputy director of specialist personal tax at HMRC who worked with Mr Jefferies, said: "Paul was a highly valued colleague and friend.

"While he was a private and reserved he was also a warm and humorous man, kind, thoughtful, professional and dedicated to public service. 

"He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all who worked with him." 

Bamford will be sentenced on Wednesday November 23.