The sister of murdered Leroy Burnett has said his killers have taken away the spark from their family forever.

In an emotional letter read out in the Old Bailey today, Patricia Burnett, of north London, said the family will never be able to get over his murder.

The body of Mr Burnett, 47, was found in the remains of his flat in Crichton Street, Battersea, by firefighters after the blaze in November 2010.

He had been executed by two men who then paid a third to blow up his flat to cover up the killing.

The court heard Mr Burnett was a father of three and a skilled barber, but was constantly battling drug addiction.

He brought up his son Chase from the age of two, and he has since moved away from London because he cannot bear to live near the place where his father was murdered.

Mr Burnett's nephew wakes up crying and screaming about the murder, and his school grades have suffered.

His niece showed him her wedding dress days before his death, but he never got to see her big day.

Patricia Burnett said: "He was a much loved brother, uncle and dad. I will always cherish the times I spent with him. We will never forget his laugh and broad smile.

"On Thursday morning I had a phone call telling me there had been a fire in his place. I tried to tell myself he would be alright.

"I felt sick and hoped he would be ok. Before I had arrived a body had been found inside. I saw the devastation and froze.

"As a family we found his loss difficult to cope with. You have taken away the spark left for so many people. We will never get over his murder."

Detective Inspector Nigel Tolson, homicide and serious crime command, said: "Leroy Burnett was executed in his own home by men who thought they could cover up their crime by setting fire to his property.

"Unfortunately for them detectives were able to gather the evidence required to bring charges and bring them to court so that the jury to find them guilty of murder."

Yesterday, Tuesday, April 3, Colliston Edwards, 37, and Andre Johnson, 23, both of no fixed address, were found guilty of joint enterprise murder.

Max Walter, 21, also of no fixed address, was found guilty of arson, with intent to endanger life.

All three men will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on May 4.

Johnson will be sentenced for murder, arson and perverting the course of justice after pleading guilty to the latter two charges.

Edwards will be sentenced for murder, arson and perverting the course of justice.

Walter had pleaded guilty to arson but had denied intending to harm others.