A teenager has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for murdering a man after a birthday party.

Ahmed Ahmed, 17, from Stratford, was jailed for 15 years after stabbing Tommy Overton in Skeltons Lane in Leyton on August 18 last year.

Tommy, 18, was helped by his brother back to his family home in nearby Beaumont Road, where he collapsed and died in front of his family.

Police believe the teenager was attacked after trying to gatecrash a 16th birthday party in Colchester Road that night after he and his friends heard about it on Facebook.

This led to an argument between Tommy's friends and a group of young people including Ahmed, who chased the uninvited guests from the house.

Ahmed and his group armed themselves with sticks and bricks and chased Tommy’s group through several streets before catching up with them in Skeltons Lane at about 4am.

Ahmed then stabbed Tommy several times in the back and body, and despite police and paramedics’ best efforts, they could not save him.

The knife attack was caught clearly on CCTV, providing the evidence needed to prosecute Ahmed.

A second teenager, Kondwani Phiri, 18, of Field Point in Station Road, Forest Gate, was jailed for three-and-a-half years for violent disorder.

Police said that around 30 teenagers were involved in the incident and many had declined to come forward as witnesses.

Detective Chief Inspector Cliff Lyons, who led the investigation, said: "This is a tragic case whereby a surprise 16th birthday party turned from celebration to despair.

"Minor disagreements which included who was allowed or not allowed into the party escalated into a running street battle.

"The young men convicted are involved in gang culture, whereby the use and possession of a knife is accepted within their circles. This is contrary to overwhelming condemnation from the public.

"The young people convicted have not only devastated a grieving family, they have left a profound scar on their own families. This case is a sad example of gang and knife culture amongst our youth ending in misery for all concerned."

Luke Porter, 19, of East Ham, and two 17-year-olds from Stratford, were acquitted.