The remaining six members of a gang which “brutally” killed a man during a robbery have been jailed.

Xhovan Pepaj was fatally stabbed in December 2021 when the group travelled down to the county and tried to steal cannabis plants from a property he was at.

Officers were called to the home in Caley Road, Tunbridge Wells, after some of the plants were found discarded along the same road.

When they arrived, there was a locked metal gate, from floor to ceiling, which initially prevented officers from accessing the upstairs of the building where Mr Pepaj had been left with multiple stab wounds.

Fire crews managed to assist in getting in and the 25-year-old was declared deceased at the scene. A bloodstained knife was found nearby.

Following a long investigation, seven of the gang were jailed, with the remaining six being sentenced on Monday at Hove Crown Court.

Ray Renda, 23, of Albany Road, Brentwood, Essex had previously pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court to counts of manslaughter and conspiracy to commit robbery. He was jailed for six years.

While Jonathan Hedges, 26, Nathan Turner, 30, Zach Cutting, 25, Glen Hough, 52, and Fabian Szymula, 21, were all found guilty of conspiracy to rob.

Hedges, of Walton Road, Romford, was sentenced to two years and six months. While Turner, of Myrtle Road, Warley, Brentwood, was sentenced to six years after he was also convicted of possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

Lastly, Szymula, of Callan Grove, South Ockendon, was sentenced to two years and six months. He has also been found guilty of perverting the course of justice, in relation to a note passed to a defendant during trial.

In May, seven of the defendants were sentenced at the Old Bailey, following a trial in Loughborough.

Ciaran Stewart, 20, of Curtis Road, Hornchurch, Essex, was found guilty of murder. He had previously admitted conspiracy to commit robbery. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and will serve a minimum of 26 years before he can be considered for parole.

While Kelvin Amoako, 18, of Norfolk Road, Ilford, Greater London, and Bartosz Malawski, 28, of Mitcham Road, Croydon, were both found guilty of murder and conspiracy to commit robbery. They were sentenced to life imprisonment and will serve a minimum of 22 years.

Nathan Rainforth, 22, of Gloucester Road, Pilgrims Hatch, Essex, was found guilty of manslaughter and conspiracy to commit robbery. He was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years.

Donte Simpson-Palmer, 19, of Evesham Walk, Myatts Fields South, London was found guilty of manslaughter and conspiracy to commit robbery. He was sentenced to six years.

Charles Reilly, 28, of Roman Road, Mount Nessing, Essex, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery. He was jailed for ten years.

Mohammed Miah, 26, of Highfield Road, Romford, Essex was found guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery. He was sentenced to six-and-a-half years.

Detective Superintendent Gavin Moss said: “This has been a lengthy and complex investigation but one which has ensured that every single offender involved in this incident has now been successfully prosecuted and convicted.

“The substantial prison sentences reflect the senseless loss of life and needless violence associated with the supply of drugs and I only hope that Mr Pepaj’s family can now take some comfort that justice has been served.”

Previously, superintendent Moss said the “brutal murder” of Mr Pepaj was the result of a planned raid by an organised criminal gang, who travelled to Tunbridge Wells from Essex in three vehicles to steal large quantities of cannabis.

He added: “Things started to go wrong when associates of the victim arrived at the property and this quickly escalated with tragic consequences.

“Ciaran Stewart called 999 in fear of his life and was heard by the call handler shouting to Amoako to stab Mr Pepaj.

“The victim was repeatedly attacked with a knife and beaten and stood no chance of defending himself.

“It says a lot about their mentality that as some of the offenders drove from the scene they appeared oblivious to the fact someone had just been murdered and instead filmed themselves bragging and laughing about the drugs they had stolen.

“We have worked relentlessly to ensure every single offender involved in this incident has faced justice and the lengthy prison sentences reflect the senseless loss of life and needless violence associated with the supply of drugs.”