A WALTHAMSTOW teenager has been jailed for life after he and his friends murdered a devoted father.

Kieron Lawrence, 19, of Pretoria Avenue, must serve a minimum of 27 years after shooting dead Edward Thompson in Hackney on September 6 last year.

Mr Thompson was sitting in a car in stationery traffic at the junction between Amhurst Road and Marcon Place in Hackney when he was shot dead.

The 29-year-old was driven by friends to Homerton Hospital where he later died.

Homeless duo Kallum Morris, 19, and Paul Stoby, 19, were also given the same sentence.

DCI John Macdonald said: "This is another example of immature young men trying to enhance their local reputation through the use of a firearm.

"This gun was also used in some non-fatal shootings prior to the murder in and around the Pembury Estate.

"The day after Eddie Thompson was killed, by pure chance a 15-year-old boy was stopped close to the scene and the gun was found in his school bag.

"We don't think Eddie was the intended target, so by their actions the three have now devastated the lives of Eddie's partner of 11 years, his three young boys - aged eight, five, and 14 months - his mum, and all his other family and friends.

"Eddie was full of life, always with a smile on his face, but of course those responsible couldn't care less about that.

"At least Eddie's family have the satisfaction of seeing today's convictions, knowing that those responsible have no worthwhile future themselves".

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