A man who drove from Swindon to Bristol to take four armed teenagers to fatally attack two teenage boys has been handed two life sentences.

Antony Snook, 45, of Dowling Road, Hartcliffe, was found jointly guilty of the murders of Mason Rist, 15, and Max Dixon, 16, by a jury of nine men and three women at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, November 15 after a six-week trial.

The teenagers died after being attacked with machetes on January 27 in the Knowle West area of Bristol after they had been wrongly identified as being responsible for throwing bricks at a house earlier that evening.

Max had been at Mason’s home on Ilminster Avenue and the pair were going for pizza when they were spotted by the four juveniles and subjected to a brutal attack that lasted just 33 seconds.

During the trial, Snook told the jury he picked up the four teenagers in his Audi Q2 and believed he was driving them to a “safe house” and had no knowledge of the weapons in their possession, despite measuring approximately 48cm and 51cm in length.

Avon and Somerset Police said Snook was both the “facilitator” and “getaway driver” for Riley Tolliver, 18 and three boys aged 15, 16 and 17.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Gary Haskins said the pair may still be alive if it was not for Snook’s actions.

(Image: PA Wire) He said: “Snook was the adult in that situation. He should have taken responsibility and stopped the four other defendants from committing such a heinous crime. 

“We put forward a basis of joint enterprise to the jury, meaning that even those who didn’t cause any physical harm to Max or Mason did nothing to deter the others and were even argued to be encouraging their actions.

“Snook played the role of the facilitator and the driver of the getaway car. He drove them around Knowle like a pack on the hunt, before turning into Ilminster Avenue. He then saw the attack play out and then drove them away from the scene. If it wasn’t for him, the boys may well still be alive.”

Mason Rist and Max DixonMason Rist and Max Dixon (Image: Avon and Somerset Police) When sentencing Snook, Mrs Justice May described his actions as “so weak and cowardly”, adding that he could have stopped the attack by refusing to transport the “posse of armed teenagers”.

Mrs Justice  May said: “You all went hunting for victims around the streets of Knowle – sharking as the prosecution put it. You would have experienced the atmosphere in that car, felt the mad, chaotic bloodlust of the four armed teens, yet on you went.

“Mason and Max were simply and tragically in the wrong place at the wrong time. Nothing can undo the dreadful events of that night last January. Nothing can bring Mason and Max back. No sentence which this court passes can lessen the sense of loss and grief caused to their families.”

She choked as she described Mason and Max as “two good boys from loving homes” and it was “impossible to fathom” why Snook agreed to drive the armed teenagers.

Snook was emotionless in court while members of Max and Mason’s families wept after the sentenced was passed.

In a victim personal statement, Mason’s sister Chloe told Snook: “Although I haven’t seen any remorse or regret, it must weigh heavy on you that you got the wrong boy. Mason wasn’t your enemy, he wasn’t anyone’s enemy.

“I will never forgive you for what you have done. Mason could have been your friend but now he’s your victim.”

Riley Tolliver and the three teenagers will be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Monday 16 December.