Scroll down for the latest updates.

See today's Gazette for seven-pages of coverage, including interviews with Jay's family and a summary of the court case.

EDWARD Redman has been found guilty of murdering teenager Jay Whiston.

The 18-year-old, originally from Halstead Road, Colchester, denied murdering Jay, 17, of Clacton, at a party in Colchester nearly two years ago.

Edward’s father Gary Redman, 51, and brother John Redman, 20, were found guilty of conspiring to pervert the course of justice in connection with the murder.

His former girlfriend Shannon Fenlon, 19, has also been found guilty of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

 

Braintree and Witham Times: cfg jay whiston.jpg

               Jay Whiston

UPDATE 10am Tuesday, April 8

 

MURDERER Edward Redman will be sentenced in May.

He will be given a mandatory life sentence but Judge Charles Gratwicke will decide on his minimum term before he is eligible to apply for parole.

A pre sentence report is being prepared ahead of sentencing on May 1.

His father, brother and ex-girlfriend will also be sentenced the same day.

Edward Redman was found guilty of stabbing 17-year-old Jay Whiston at a house party on Saturday, September 8.

Alongside Edward Redman in the dock were his 51-year-old self-employed father, Gary Redman; his 20-year-old student brother, John Redman; and his former girlfriend, unemployed 19-year-old Shannon Fenlon.

They were all found guilty of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

They were all remanded into custody.    

 

 

 

 

UPDATE: 4.50pm

Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: "Justice has now been done. But a sense of loss and sadness remains.

"By all accounts, Jay was a fine young man. I did not have the privilege of meeting him.

"I have been fortunate enough to meet Caroline Shearer, Jay’s mother, on many occasions.

"I have also witnessed the work that she has led through her organisation, Only Cowards Carry, to educate young people about the dangers of knife crime.

"All of us who live in Essex must continue to make it clear that there is no place for knives or weapons in our communities.

"I thank Senior Investigating Officer, DI Anne Cameron, and all her team, for their exceptional work in this case.

"I sincerely hope the verdict brings some comfort to Caroline, her family and all of Jay’s friends as they seek to rebuild their lives."

UPDATE: 4.40pm

All three Redmans and Fenlon were remanded in custody and will be sentenced later.

But he was told by Judge Gratwicke: "You should prepare yourself for a substantial sentence."

Sentence on all four is expected in around four weeks time.

It took the jury of seven men and five women four hours to return their unanimous verdicts on the Redmans.

UPDATE: 4.30pm

All three members of the Redman family showed no emotion as the unanimous verdicts were announced.

Jay's mother Caroline Shearer, who has attended every day of the 13 week trial, had to be helped from the court and there was crying and shouts of "yes" and clapping from the public gallery.

UPDATE 3.45pm

Senior Investigating Officer, DI Anne Cameron, said: "The trial has been an extremely emotional few months for a number of people, not least Jay’s family and friends who have actually had 18 months of grief and anger in a search for justice.

"Ever since he was a young teenager Edward Redman has been a prolific offender, posing a threat to others within the community especially those who stood up to him.

"He is a violent selfish thug who does not care for anyone else’s needs.

"Jay was a young, charming morally courageous young man who would stand up to those who did wrong.

"Sadly, his life came to an end due to his heroic actions.

"Edward Redman stabbed Jay twice at a house party in a senseless, unprovoked attack.

"He assaulted Jay in front of his friends before fleeing the scene with them and discarding the murder weapon and clothing.

"Following nearly 12 weeks’ testimony from witnesses, many of whom are just teenagers themselves, Jay’s family and friends can finally breathe a sigh of relief that Edward Redman will be sentenced to life imprisonment.

"On behalf of Essex Police, I would like to thank the many witnesses who have supported the investigation by providing statements 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.

"I want to thank my team and others who worked within this investigation. They have worked tirelessly over the past 18 months to ensure justice is seen for the fruitless murder of Jay. Their actions have put a dangerous, criminal behind bars.

"I am also comforted that guilty verdicts also delivered against Edward Redman’s father, brother and former girlfriend.

"It is not acceptable that these people actively disposed of evidence to protect Edward Redman in the knowledge that he had taken someone else’s life.

"This was a complex, drawn-out investigation due to the volume of vulnerable young witnesses at the scene, of whom no-one saw the murder weapon.

"The trauma suffered by some of these witnesses and fear of retribution from Redman and his associates caused further complications.

"My team were able to thread their way through the web of lies spun by the defendants in order to reach the truth and discover how Jay was killed.

"We have worked closely with Jay’s family during this investigation and I hope that the verdicts today will assist in them coming to terms with their grief.

"I do formally offer my condolences to all of them but am minded whilst Edward Redman will spend many years in jail. No action from any individual will bring Jay back into their lives.”