Jack Stevens jailed for his role in gang's murder of new father Nashon Esbrand

A teenager has been jailed for his role in the murder of a young father who had stood up to gangs.

Jack Stevens, from north London, was a member of the Cally Gang when he orchestrated the stabbing of budding actor Nashon Esbrand with a Rambo knife.

Mr Esbrand had been hunted down by Stevens and other gang members in Islington, north London, before he was killed.

The 19-year-old was found guilty after a trial at the Old Bailey and jailed for life with a minimum term of 23 years.

Judge Anuja Dhir QC told Stevens that he had led a "co-ordinated" and "brazen" attack that culminated in a "quick and ruthless" killing.

She said Stevens, who had fled to Spain but was later extradited, had shown a "chilling lack of remorse" for his part in the murder, telling him: "Without you this senseless murder would not have taken place. You brought the team together."

She also said the murder had come after a "campaign of harassment and violence by local gangs" against Mr Esbrand, adding: "You bore a grudge against him and he was aware of it."

The court had heard that Mr Esbrand had warned police, his family and his doctor that his life could be in danger after clashes between him and members of the north London gang in the past.

On 24 August 2017, Mr Esbrand had been visiting his parents in Islington with his girlfriend and two-week-old daughter. He had dropped them at home before heading back to his parents.

He was stabbed 15 minutes later and died in hospital the next day.

The court heard that, as Mr Esbrand lay dying on the street, he pleaded: "Don't let my mother see me like this."

The person who fatally stabbed him in the leg is now 17 and was detained last year for a minimum of 12 years.

Two others involved in the attack - Dillon Zambon, 21, and Jhon Berhane, 19 - were found guilty after a trial in March last year. Both were jailed for at least 21 years.

Mr Esbrand's father Desmond said he felt "guilt" at not being able to protect his son.

He said: "Not only do I feel like I failed because I believe that every parent from the day their child is born has a duty to protect and look after them. Due to the fact my son has been murdered, my life has changed too."

Mr Esbrand's sister Chantelle described him as "very smiley, well-mannered, respectful and he loved life".

She said: "He had just become a father for the first time. He was ecstatic. His life had just begun."

Stevens had a number of previous convictions, the court heard, including one for causing the death of a teenager when he was 15.

He had been speeding on a stolen moped when he crashed, leaving pillion passenger Joe Walker, 18, to die at the scene.

In mitigation, his lawyer Michael Ivers QC said Stevens' mother felt the moped death and the death of another friend had had a "negative" impact on him.