Three young men have been jailed for at least 60 years for an attack which led to the death of a teenager who had fled to Kent just weeks before.

The long-running bitter feud ended in the violent, pre-planned attack in which Andre Aderemi was beaten and stabbed to death.

Just weeks before his death the 19-year-old and his family had moved to Chatham over fears for their safety.

He returned to the Monks Hill Estate in Heather Way, Croydon on August 16, 2016 where the long-running feud culminated in his murder.

Witnesses saw Andre being chased by a group of males carrying knives and other weapons, with a white vehicle also in pursuit.

The gang caught up with Andre after a short chase, and Andre fell to the ground where he was stabbed and kicked until he was unconscious. The suspects then got into the vehicle and drove off.

Three men responsible for the attack were convicted at the Old Bailey yesterday.

Rodney Mukasa, 20, of Green View Avenue, Croydon, and Ali Zahawy, 19, of Bramble Close, Croydon, were found guilty of murder.

Fabio Cela, 19, of Fryston Avenue, Croydon, was found not guilty of murder but convicted of manslaughter.

Mukasa was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a recommendation to serve a minimum of 22 years.

Zahawy was sentenced in his absence to life imprisonment with a recommendation to serve a minimum of 22 years.

Cela was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment, with an extended licence period of four years.

DCI Sam Price, the senior investigating officer from the Met's Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "This is a good result and I am pleased that these three dangerous offenders will now serve substantial sentences.

"I would like to commend Andre's family for the way they have endured the trial, and been totally engaged with the police investigation throughout.

"I would also like to thank the community on the Monks Hill Estate, especially the young witnesses, who made statements and testified. Without their support and trust in police we may not have achieved this positive outcome for Andre."

The court heard that Andre and Cela were known to one another. The pair had fallen out and there were several violent confrontations between them in the months leading up to the murder.

Upon learning that Andre would be visiting south London, Cela, Mukasa and Zahawy planned to attack him and armed themselves.

Police were called to the estate at around 7.40pm to reports of a stabbing and on arrival, officers found the victim - later identified as Andre - with multiple stab wounds and other injuries.

The London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance also attended, and Andre was taken to a south London Hospital but died later that evening from his injuries.

"This is another tragic case of senseless violence amongst young men which has resulted in a death" - DCI Price

A post-mortem examination carried out on August 17 gave cause of death as a stab wound to the chest.

An investigation was launched by the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command.

After the attack Cela attended Croydon University Hospital with knife wounds to his head. When asked by police how he had sustained the injuries, Cela was uncooperative.

Cela and Mukasa were arrested the day after the incident and subsequently charged with murder. Zahawy was arrested on August 21.

As part of their enquiries, officers recovered a bag containing bloodstained clothing found to belong to Rodney Mukasa.

A metal pole was found at the scene by officers. It had Andre’s blood on one end and Cela’s DNA on the other.

Three knives were located in Spout Hill shortly after the murder after being thrown from a car. One of the knives had Andre’s blood on it.

CCTV and clothing comparisons also placed the suspects at the scene.

DCI Price said: “Andre was killed in a violent pre-planned attack which was the culmination of a long-running feud with Cela and his accomplices.

“Andre and his family had moved out of the Croydon area because of this bitter animosity. Upon learning that Andre was due to return to South London for a visit, his attackers armed themselves, found him and chased him down and then beat and stabbed him, inflicting fatal injuries.

“This is another tragic case of senseless violence amongst young men which has resulted in a death. These three men now face a considerable sentence for their roles in this brutal murder.

“I would like to pay tribute to Andre’s family who have acted with the utmost dignity throughout the investigation and trial, and I hope today’s verdict gives them some respite from the devastation caused by Andre’s killing.”

No verdict was returned in respect of Jamell Lonergan, 20, of Woodcroft Road, Thornton Heath. A decision as to any re-trial will be made in due course.