Two men have been sentenced to a combined minimum of 58 years imprisonment for the murder of 18-year-old Ben Purdy in Mossington Gardens a year ago this week.
Andrew Bayne, 37, from SE8 was found guilty of the murder of Ben Purdy at the Old Bailey on Thursday 19 November.
The next day, at the same court, he was sentenced to life imprisonment to serve a minimum of 30 years. He was also sentenced to seven years imprisonment for possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear or violence. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Michael Bagnall, 22, of SE13 was found guilty of the murder of Ben Purdy at the Old Bailey. He has now been sentenced to life imprisonment to serve a minimum of 28 years. He was also sentenced to two years imprisonment for affray. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Detective Chief Inspector Graeme Gwyn, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “I am very pleased with the sentences handed down today. Ben was hunted through the streets by Bayne and Bagnall, who were armed with deadly weapons and had deadly intentions.
“The trial has been a harrowing experience for Ben’s family and I commend them for their dignity and composure throughout. No degree of justice will bring Ben back to his family but I sincerely hope that the verdicts reached today will bring a measure of comfort to those who miss him most.”
Ben’s mother Joanne said in an impact statement presented to the court: “The trial has been long and stressful for my husband and I. The void that Ben’s death has left will never be filled. We will always have him missing in our lives. We will never be able to see him conquer his dreams or see him walk down the aisle or share any of the achievements that he would have worked towards. All we have are those brief 18 years to hold onto before he was taken away from us so cruelly.”
In an impact statement presented to the court Ben’s father, Stephen Lewis, said: “I have been unable to cope with the loss of my son. It’s such a tragedy for such a young life. Ben had been working hard to build a career as a plumber, his whole future was in front of him and I’m sure he would have had a great future. I have attended court every day during the trial and not once have any of the defendants shown me any remorse or dignity. They left Ben for dead in the street. Our son hasn’t got a life and our lives will never be the same again.”
Sentencing for three other men convicted of offences in connection with the murder will be scheduled in due course.