Two men have been jailed for life for the murders of two friends in Leytonstone.

The killers of Josiah Manful, 19, and Aaron Carriere, 21, were sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday for a "viscous and premeditated attack" on March 1, 2014.

Casey Jones, 19, will serve a minimum of 34 years in prison with Alex Bernard, 21, of east London, sentenced to a minimum of 31 years.

Omar Hassan, 22, and Devonte Campbell, 20, who were also all convicted of two counts of murder have had their sentencing adjourned until June 5.

Mr Carriere was described as "a successful drugs dealer" selling crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis on the streets of Leytonstone and, unbeknown to him, was the subject of an undercover police probe.

During the trial the jury heard how he and Mr Manful were stabbed 24 times after being left "helpless and trapped" when their vehicle was boxed in.

The attackers got out of their vehicle and surrounded the car containing the pair, beginning what police described as a "frenzied and brutal attack".

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Casey Jones will serve a minimum of 34 years in prison for murder

During the incident the driver's window was smashed and Mr Manful was stabbed in the chest.

Mr Carriere, who was in the passenger's seat, was stabbed in the neck through the open window.

During the attack Aaron received a call on his mobile which he was able to answer.

The caller heard him screaming for help and sounds of the attack in progress.

Witnesses to the attack saw a group fleeing on foot and in their vehicles.

Following the attack, Mr Manful was able to get out of the vehicle and stagger a short distance before collapsing.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Alex Bernard was sentenced to a minimum of 31 years in prison

Police and London Ambulance Service attended but the two were pronounced dead at the scene.

Upon a forensic examination of the car, fingerprints belonging to Campbell, Bernard and Jones were found.

The day after the attack Bernard made a call to a scrap metal dealer and informed him that he wanted to scrap his Astra car.

The car was sold to the dealer, but was seized by police before it could be destroyed.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Aaron Carriere was stabbed 11 times in the attack

Jones returned to the UK on April 2 last year after fleeing to Ethiopia and was arrested.

Bernard was arrested on June 10 2014 after fleeing the UK to Grenada.

He was arrested on his return to Gatwick Airport and charged the following day.

Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Piscopo, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "This was a vicious and premeditated attack on two young men and the level of violence displayed is one of the worse I have seen in my time as a homicide detective.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Josiah Manful was stabbed 13 times but managed to stagger a short distance before collapsing.

"The four defendants worked as a team and lured Aaron and Josiah to their death. Helpless and trapped Aaron and Josiah did not stand a chance as their car was surrounded and a number of stab wounds were inflicted upon them.

“The murders were witnessed by a number of residents, most of whom have been left traumatised by the events of that evening.

"Both families have had to sit through the lengthy court proceedings and hear the horrific details of how their loved ones came to be murdered on that fateful night. I hope that today's sentences bring some comfort to the families of Aaron and Josiah.

"I believe that there were a number of other people that were involved in the incident and we will continue to pursue our investigation until they are brought to justice."

Two teenagers and another male who cannot be named for legal reasons were acquitted over the attack.