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Victim: Breck Bednar, 14, who was allegedly stabbed to death by a man he met off the internet
The 14-year-old son of a U.S. oil millionaire was allegedly stabbed to death after being groomed over the internet while playing computer games. Breck Bednar apparently told his parents that he was going to a friend's house for a sleepover close to his home in Caterham, Surrey.

But instead he got the train and travelled 30 miles to Grays, Essex, where he was found with knife wounds on Monday morning. He later died despite attempts to save him.

Today Lewis Daynes, an 18-year-old computer engineer, appeared before a court charged with murdering the schoolboy. Breck's father Barry, 49, who is an oil futures trader, described his son as a 'happy, gentle and smart boy'.

Mr Bednar, from Houston, has worked as a managing director for BCG shipping brokers in Canary Wharf. According to his LinkedIn profile, he currently works as a partner for Tandem Partners SARL.

The millionaire, who lives with his son's mother Lorin LaFave, 49, said that his son had recently been on a ten-day trip to Spain. Ms LaFave is a Michigan State University graduate who regularly attends an evangelist church near her home.

Paying tribute to his son, Mr Bednar told the Evening Standard: 'I last saw him on Sunday. He was a happy, gentle and smart boy. He had been in Spain for 10 days and he was excited to see us and be home again.'

The schoolboy's mother Lorin said today: ' Breck was a clever, good and helpful boy. Like most teenagers, socialising, computers and games were what he enjoyed.

'The problem was the predator who was trying to control his ideology about religion, government, family, education.

'Breck looked up to him because of his interesting manner and computer skills.'

She added: 'Breck may have been shy when we saw cousins over three years ago, however he is actually very calm, clever and confident young man. Unfortunately Too confident and independent to believe my warnings.' The schoolboy is understood to have been a keen player of the videogame Battlefield 4.

According to a message on the content sharing website Imgur, the 14-year-old was a socially awkward teenager 'addicted' to video games who had stopped going to church and turned against his parents.

The post entitled: 'A sad story about internet predators from a long time lurker' said Breck turned to the internet as a way of dealing with his social awkwardness.

It claimed Breck was an 'incredibly smart, funny, and cute 14 year old boy..'

'Despite this it was very difficult for him (Breck) to make friends and he would often avoid social interaction.

'So, like myself and many others he turned to his computer and the internet for entertainment.

'He loved to play video games and may have even been a bit addicted to them (I can relate). He ended up meeting someone who he thought wanted to be his friend.

'This person wasn't another 14 year old boy, but a man. Not having very many friends, if any, Breck immediately attached to this relationship.

'Soon, the man began telling him that his parents hated him, and that God isn't real, and that he shouldn't go to church. Breck became distant, stopped going to church and quit his extracurricular altogether. His family was concerned, but didn't think much of it.

'They tried talking to him and helping him to no avail.

'Two nights ago, Breck told his father that he was going to his friend's house for a sleep over a couple of blocks away.

'He ended up taking a train down to Essex, about two hours away.

'Early the next morning, the police found his body.'

However, other friends of Breck denied he was 'socially awkward' with few friends. School friends from St Bede's ecumenical school in Redhill suggested various memorials for the dead boy, including a bench or planting a tree. Edward Ashby said: 'RIP Breck Bednar. I only knew you for a term and a half, but as we had every lesson together you became one of my best friends.

'Words cannot describe how sad I am feeling and I hope you have gone to a better place. My thoughts are with you and your family.'

Jess Runge posted: 'such a lovely innocent boy. Thoughts to Breck and his family, made me giggle since primary school, forever in our hearts RIP.'

Samuel McCarthy-King added: 'Rip Buddy I will always remember the good times we had playing iphone games and eating pizza.

'It was a great honour to be your friend mate. Love you man I will be always thinking about you'.

Molly Nicholason wrote: 'RIP Breck. Your tragic loss will affect everyone, some more than others. Either way, our year is like a family and yesterday we lost a family member. You're up there with the angels now Breck, where no one can hurt you.

Aimee Baker posted: 'RIP Breck you will be missed in form and it wont be the same my thoughts go out to all your family and close friends xx

'Although everyone is being nice coming up with good ideas to remember Breck I don't think anything should happen before we get back to school, I know a lot of the boys in my form and the other people who were close to him will be upset. So I think we should just wait a bit before everyone rushes into things x.'

In a statement Christopher Curtis, Headteacher of St Bede's School, a Christian school in Redhill, said: 'We were devastated to hear the awful news about Breck Bednar, a student in Year 10.

'Breck was a bright and hard working student who was a real pleasure to teach. His tutor describes him as "a model student: a conscientious young man with a great deal of potential".

'We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends and with all affected.'

Today Daynes stood in the dock at Basildon Magistrates Court in Essex as he appeared before a judge charged with murder. The young man was wearing a bright red standard issue sweatshirt and bottoms as he stood in the dock flanked by two uniformed dock officers. He spoke only to confirm his name, age and address during the hearing.

The clerk told the court: 'Mr Daynes appears before the court on one charge, an allegation of murder. It needs to be dealt with by the Crown Court, it will go to Chelmsford Crown Court.'

Daynes was remanded in custody and will appear at Chelmsford Crown Court tomorrow morning at 9.30am. A plea and case management hearing is due to be held at Chelmsford Crown Court on 28 April. His defence barrister David Barbone told the court that he will not be making a bail application at tomorrow's court hearing. The preliminary results from the post mortem examination indicate that Bednar died as a result of a wound to the neck.

His family are being supported by police family liaison officers.