The family of a man murdered in a deadly ambush as he left a takeaway say they “will keep him in their hearts forever”.

Three teenagers, including a 15-year-old boy, have been convicted after Gabriel Petrov Stoyanov was fatally stabbed in Bromley.

The 21-year-old victim had been out with pals at a pub in Sydenham and had boarded a bus home with his friend, two stops before the trio got on.

But an altercation broke out and he was later hunted down and killed by the group.

Alfie Kibble, 18, of Manor Close, Thamesmead, was sentenced to life imprisonment to serve a minimum of 14 years and nine months.

A 17-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment to serve a minimum of 15 years.

A 15-year-old boy was sentenced to six years and eight months.

No words can explain how painful it has been to lose Gabriel in such a senseless and unnecessary way

Both Kibble and the 17-year-old were convicted of the murder of Gabriel Petrov Stoyanov in August after a trial at the Old Bailey.

The 15-year-old had been found guilty of manslaughter. All three were sentenced yesterday.

Speaking after the sentencing, Gabriel’s family said: "No words can explain how painful it has been to lose Gabriel in such a senseless and unnecessary way.

“Gabriel will always be remembered and we will keep him in our hearts forever.

“It has been a long and traumatic process to get to this verdict but we are grateful that justice has been served.”

CCTV evidence uncovered Gabriel tried to engage with the group on November 4 last year and was described in a trial at the Old Bailey as acting in an “annoying” manner towards them, having been intoxicated.

At one point he had flicked the ear of one of the teenagers.

Although at this stage they did not appear to be particularly troubled by Gabriel’s antics, his attention was not welcomed.

Shortly after, Gabriel and his friend got off the bus along Rangefield Road.

The three defendants got off two stops later at St Barnabas Hall. Still nearby, they took a swift walk back to where Gabriel had left the bus.

These three teenagers killed a young man for nothing more than revenge for his minor drunken horseplay

They were later seen on CCTV armed with weapons - a knife in the hand of the 17-year-old, a heavy motorbike chain, held by Kibble, and a bottle in the hand of the 15-year-old.

The three defendants spotted Gabriel in a nearby takeaway shop.

Here they hid, before they jumped him as he left the premise, launching a violent and deadly attack.

The 17-year-old was spotted on CCTV delivering the fatal blow as he stabbed Gabriel in the chest, penetrating his left lung. All three ran off from the scene.

Officers arrived at the location along with colleagues from the London Ambulance Service. Gabriel was taken to hospital, however, he sadly died the following day as a result of his injuries.

A post-mortem examination was carried out four days later, which established the cause of death as a single stab wound to the chest.

Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Allen, from the Specialist Crime Command, said: “These three teenagers killed a young man for nothing more than revenge for his minor drunken horseplay.

“I am staggered that boys of this age are carrying out targeted and deadly attacks against defenceless victims, which is evident in this case.

“Gabriel’s family and friends have suffered immeasurable pain following his tragic death.

“My team have worked extremely hard both day and night, trawling through hours of CCTV, to bring these perpetrators to justice. I am proud of their professionalism and determination to reach this outcome today.”