Three gang members who murdered an innocent man after mistaking him for someone else, have been jailed.

Joseph William Torres, 22, died after he was shot whilst sat in a van listening to music in Walthamstow at 9.30pm on March 13, 2018.

He was sat in the van with a friend, before the men appeared with hoods and shot him in the chest and leg.

His killers mistook him for someone who wore the same beanie hat as him.

Joseph staggered out of the van, but paramedics were unable to save him and he died around an hour later.

Three people have been jailed at the Old Bailey today (January 10).

This includes Hamza Ul-Haq, a 21-year-old from Wanstead; Loic Nengese a 19-year-old from Walthamstow; and a 16-year-old boy from Hackney, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

They were found guilty of murder following a trial at the same court, which concluded in December 2019.

Ul-Haq received 28 years, Nengese was sentenced to 21 years, and the youth was jailed for 18 years.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Hamza Ul-Haq (Photo: Met Police)Hamza Ul-Haq (Photo: Met Police)

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Loic Nengese (Photo: Met Police)Loic Nengese (Photo: Met Police)

Devi Kharran, from the CPS, said: “This was a targeted hit by three ruthless gang members who sought out the wrong victim.

“These killers were seeking revenge on a man who Joseph resembled, but Joseph was an innocent person caught in the middle of an east London gang feud.

“The prosecution case included CCTV evidence that unveiled the identities of the defendants after they ran away. The youth killer dropped his phone at the scene, allowing police to easily trace him. The firearm used in the murder was also linked back to the gang the killers were affiliated to.

“This has been a long and complex prosecution. Joseph was just a couple of weeks short of his 21st birthday and had great plans for his life.

“His family have been left devastated at the loss of their beloved son and brother, but I hope these sentences go some way in providing them with a measure of comfort.”