The murderer of Derby born Jamie Simpson is sentenced

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19 Year old Kobina Essel who was found guilty of murdering Derby born 33 year old Jamie Simpson who was a Matalan store manager in London has been sentenced to life with a minimum of 20-year term.

The 19 year old stabbed Mr Simpson in the neck with a 10 inch knife during the hold up at the Hackney Matalan store, east London in March 2008.

Essel, of Manor Park, east London, was found guilty of the murder by an Old Bailey jury in February. He had denied the charge.

The court heard the gang planned to rob the store over the Easter weekend, hoping to get up to £30,000.

Sentencing Essel, Judge Martin Stephens said: "This case demonstrates in a vivid way the horrors of knife crime and the terrible consequences to the victim, his family and friends and to society as a whole.

"You went into this with your eyes open. You went in with a knife and you did not hesitate to use it."

Essel's accomplices Anthony Maina, 20, Randy Osei- Owusu, 17, and Simeon Jumah, 25, were convicted of manslaughter.