A gangster who stabbed a father-of-two to death for straying into his 'turf' was jailed for at least 14 years Friday.

Simeon Smith, 34, attacked 33-year-old Sylvester Senyah as he left a Caribbean restaurant in Leyton, East London and stabbed him three times.

The Old Bailey heard that Simeon, an old gang rival stabbed Senyah, a British gentleman of Ghanaian origin on November 29, 2010, outside the restaurant.

The parents of Sylvester Senyah, who have maintained a dignified silence since the murder shed tears as the jury returned a verdict of GUILTY, yesterday, 23 June, 2011.

Sylvester Senyah, also known as "Twiggy", was attacked by two men as he carried his food back to his parked car in Capworth Street, Leyton, East London. The court heard that he was on his way to pick up his 10 year old son from school.

Simeon Smith admitted causing the injury but denied murder on the basis of self defence. The court heard that Simeon and his younger brother had been a member of the Beaumont Crew during his teenage years and had a criminal record.

Simeon gave evidence in court, often in a tense atmosphere, admitting that Sylvester had been his friend. They were all the same age. He did not know how what he claimed was a verbal argument escalated into the death of a human being. He waited 4 days and handed himself in to the Metropolitan Police.

He believed that Sylvester's parents needed to know what happened that day. He stated sometimes bursting in tears that he set out that morning to open a bank account. He had put his life back on track and was looking forward to a career in Music Production and Football managing. He even said he could have been a boxer. His life now was in ruins.

However, on that fatal day, he was hungry and had no money to buy the curry goat and rice at Annie's. It was freezing cold and he had gone outside with a friend, Mr Sharon to smoke some cannabis.

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