The alleged leader of Tamil gang the Jaffna Boys has been jailed for intimidating a witness.

Edward Armstrong-Anton of Broadstairs, Kent, was jailed for 30 months at Croydon Crown Court after a jury took just hours to convict him of the charge.

The 37-year-old slapped and head butted Wakeezan Manivasakam and his brother in his shop, the Phoomi Supermarket store, in London Road.

Jurors were told the brothers were assaulted because Mr Manivasakam was acting as a witness in a case involving members of the Croydon gang.

Jonathan Edwards, prosecuting, told the court Mr Armstrong-Anton said he was the "King of London Road" and would chop of Mr Manivasakam's penis and kill his family if he helped police, during the incident on August 21 last year.

Croydon Crown Court heard Mr Manivasakam had been victim to the gang on July 22, which resulted in six men being charged with public order offences, including Shamoor Miah.

On August 14, Miah revisited Mr Manivasakam at his store to try and prevent him from testifying in the resulting court case.

Miah later pleaded guilty to intimidating Mr Manivasakam. Jurors were told Armstrong-Anton went to the store on August 21, because of his affiliation with the Jaffna Boys and to tell him to stop talking to the police.

Mr Armstrong-Anton denied one count of intimidation, but had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of assault.