Colchester: Edward Redman is jailed for life for the murder of Jay Whiston

Jay Whiston (Image: Archant)

Edward Redman, described as a coward by police, was found guilty of stabbing the 17-year-old at a house party in Marlowe Way, Colchester, on September 8 following a 12-week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Jay was taken to hospital but died shortly after arriving.

Alongside Redman, who was handed a minimum of 17 years, was his 51-year-old self-employed father, Gary Redman, his brother John, 20 and his former girlfriend, unemployed Shannon Fenlon, 19, who were all found guilty of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

Gary and John Redman were both sentenced to two years and Fenlon to nine months.

Ann Oakes-Odger, who founded KnifeCrimes.Org after the murder of her son, Westley Odger in 2005, said she was pleased the judge had increased the sentence from the minimum tariff of 12 years.

She added: “I am glad that Jay’s family have finally seen justice happen through the trial and now that they know the sentence, hopefully that will help them to start moving forward.

“But, of course, it takes a very long time to deal with such a traumatic situation and my heart goes out to them, as it has all the way through the trial.”

Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Anne Cameron, said after the verdict: “There can be no excuse for Edward Redman’s actions back on that September night.

“The teenage communities in and around Colchester can rest easy now that Edward Redman will be behind bars for a long time.

“They feared him because he carried a knife, but he did so only because he was a coward. The truth is Edward Redman is merely a bully and he showed a complete disregard for Jay’s life.

“He, his father, brother and former girlfriend have now been sentenced and will have many years to reflect upon the utter distress they have caused to many people.

“This senseless, tragic murder has devastated a family and a community. We hope everyone understands that it is unacceptable and dangerous to carry a knife in public.

“It is unnecessary, illegal and damages lives. Police officers across England and Wales will continue to work with youngsters in schools and colleges, educating them about such dangers. Choose to carry a knife and face time behind bars.

“On behalf of Essex Police, I would like to again thank the many witnesses who have supported the investigation by providing accounts and testifying at court.

“Their courage to ensure the truth was told, whatever the pressure put upon them, will have placed a great deal of undue stress on them and their family and friends.

“For this we are very grateful. I am eternally grateful for their honesty and wish them well in their lives and future careers.

“We again offer our deepest condolences to Jay’s family and friends and hope today’s sentencing will offer some degree of comfort following this senseless tragedy.”

If you know anyone who is out on the streets carrying a knife, call police on 999 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.