THE murder of a father-of-two highlights the ruthlessness of drugs gangs, a chief inspector has stated.

Three members of a drugs gang have been jailed for perverting the course of justice following the murder of a man in Colchester.

Echo:

Convicted - Reece McHutcherson, 20

Reece McHutcherson stabbed Murdoch Brown five times in Colchester, leaving him to die in the street, in the early hours of 7 May, 2019.

The 20-year-old, of Pillow Way, Buckingham, was jailed for life, to serve a minimum of 20 years.

Three of his associates were sentenced yesterday at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Echo:

Sentenced - Toyn Williams, 29

Jay Dice, 23, of Mayville Road, Leytonstone, was jailed for a total of six years and 19 weeks for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

Toyn Williams, 29, of Winchester Road, Hale End in east London, was jailed for a total of seven years and six months for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

Kayley Hodgkinson, 32, of Cedars Road, Colchester, was jailed for three years for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Echo:

Locked up - Jay Dice, 23

A jury heard Murdoch Brown was attacked after he and his brother Robert arrived in the Greenstead area in the early hours of 7 May, 2019.

Robert had been in debt to a drugs line and planned to speak to someone from the gang to explain how he would pay it back.

The brothers were told to go to Buffett Way, where they met McHutcherson and Dice. Murdoch was then attacked.

Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Jennings, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “Murdoch Brown had done nothing that could even remotely justify the appalling acts of violence inflicted upon him.

“He had no opportunity to defend himself against Reece McHutcherson, who felt a man’s life was worth the price for a £300 unpaid debt.

“His death has devastated his family and robbed his children of their father, and my thoughts remain with Murdoch’s loved ones, who have lost him in the most horrendous of circumstances.

Echo:

Jailed - Kayley Hodgkinson, 32

“This case highlights the ruthlessness of drugs gangs, who are prepared to use violence and intimidation to keep drug users, rivals and even their own members in check.

“Every day we’re taking out drugs lines, putting people before the courts, and protecting they the vulnerable people they exploit and threaten."