Former Leyton Orient defender Aiden Palmer took part in a gang brawl in an Edmonton street (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Former Leyton Orient defender Aiden Palmer took part in a gang brawl in an Edmonton street

6:23pm Monday 6th July 2009 in

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A FORMER Leyton Orient footballer has been jailed for his part in a bloody street battle between rival gangs.

Despite being contracted to the O’s, Aiden Palmer was a member of the Edmonton Shankstarz, along with his brother Liam.

The gang were locked in a bitter feud with the NPK crew from neighbouring Tottenham, a court heard.

On the morning of the fight, NPK associate Yanick Myavova, 21, was allegedly attacked in a nightclub with a champagne bottle by members of the Edmonton gang.

NPK members then plotted revenge and drove to a house where the Palmer brothers lived with their grandmother.

But lookouts spotted the Tottenham gang and three NPK members were ambushed while sitting in a car that would not start.

Up to 15 members of the Edmonton gang battered its windows with wooden bats to get those inside.

One occupant was stabbed in the chest, mouth and tongue, while another received a stab wound the chest which pierced his heart. Both men survived.

Forensic investigators were also able to place defendants at the scene by matching their DNA profiles to the pool of blood found at the scene.

Despite denying being invloved, Aiden Palmer, 22, was jailed for 22 months for violent disorder, along with fellow Shankstarz members Karl Christian-Law, 20, and Jerome Bruce De Roche, 21.

Liam Palmer, 19, was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to violent disorder. He was also found guilty of wounding with intent and conspiracy to commit violent disorder.

In total, six members of each gang were jailed.

Aiden Palmer played 47 times for the Brisbane Road club after rising through the youth system.

The defender spent last year on loan at Dagenham & Redbridge and was released by Orient at the end of last season.