A DRUG dealer from Loughton has been jailed for his part in a contract killing which saw a father mowed down with a machine gun in front of his young son and girlfriend.

Tony Osborne, 27, of Church Hill, Loughton, was handed a minimum 30 year sentence for planning the murder of Mark Tredinnick with his brother Mark Osborne, 26, who is currently serving a three year prison sentence for GBH.

Mark Osborne was also handed a 30-year minimum sentence for his role in the killing.

Mr Tredinnick, 39, from Collier Row, was shot ten times by a masked gunman who jumped out from a bush and carried out the brutal mid-afternoon attack on Benskins Lane, Romford, in June last year. He died three hours later at Queen’s Hospital, in Romford.

Police Investigations uncovered the gunman as Wayne Collins, 26, of Rush Green, Romford, who was sentenced at The Old Bailey to a minimum of 32 years in prison.

Detectives discovered that Mr Tredinnick worked as a runner for the Osbornes, who ran an operation supplying hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of cocaine to users in Essex.

The brothers suspected Mr Tredinnick of stealing up to £300,000 in cash and drugs from them, and hired Collins to shoot him.

Tony Osborne lured Mr Tredinnick to the ambush on Benskins Lane with a telephone call, offering work.

Mr Tredinnick arrived with his girlfriend and son and, after getting out of his car, Collins leapt out of a bush and opened fire, shouting: “That’s from Mark. You’re not so clever now.”

Det Insp Dave Whellams said: “This was a complex case that was organised in part from within the prison system.

“A great deal of good detective work was required and I’m pleased it’s paid off with these convictions today.”