The 18-year-old found guilty of the murder of Mitcham stab victim Eugene Attram has been jailed for 12 years.

Sentenced today at the Old Bailey, Ashley Rookwood, 18, from Tooting was found guilty of murder and violent disorder.

Sunil Alleyne was handed down a three year sentence after being convicted of violent disorder. Loren Fetjui, and Ben Sampson, both 18 and from Mitcham, and Simeon Preddie, 15 from Tooting were also found guilty of violent disorder and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Eugene, 16, from Thornton Heath, was stabbed in the chest back and head during a gang fight involving up to 60 youths next to Ravensbury Park, Mitcham in November 2006.

Three others were also seriously injured in the brawl between rival gangs, Stick ‘em Up Kids (SUK) from Wandsworth and Terror Zone (TZ) from Mitcham.

One of Ernest Bevin College student's friends, another teen, was stabbed more than ten times while trying to help, but recovered to give key evidence in the five-week trial.

At an emotional press conference in Merton after the attack, Eugene's mother Maureen Enyonam appealed to those who were present to have the courage to come forward and tell police what happened.

Police quickly made 12 arrests and spoke to in excess of 100 witnesses. Several more arrests followed bringing the total to 30, but only the five on trial could forensically linked to the stabbing.

Speaking after her son’s killers had been found guilty, Ms Enyonam said: “My prayer is that this knife crime stops and something positive comes out of this tragedy.

“I’ve just had to face the fact that the front door won’t open and Eugene will walk through.”

In a statement read outside the court, Eugene's father, Mack Attram added: "Eugene's murder has dug a huge hole of emptiness in my life.”

Detective Inspector Alison Hepworth, the officer leading the two-year operation, said: "The death was brutal, with Eugene beaten and stabbed repeatedly during the course of a gang fight.

"Since Eugene died, over 50 young people have been murdered in London. Eugene's family are reminded of his killing every time they hear of another brutal death.”