A MAN has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of the murder of Edgware father-of-three Garry Frater at the Old Bailey yesterday, following a re-trial.

Louis Tate, 24 of Rosamun Street, Southall, was sentenced to serve a minimum of 18 years.

Tate had previously stood trial in March, but the jury was unable to reach a verdict and a re-trial was set.

Speaking on Friday, Detective Inspector Andy Chalmers, the investigating officer from the Metropolitan Police Service's (MPS) Homicide and Serious Crime Command said: "It has been a long process to get to this conviction today, involving a very thorough investigation and two trials. I would like to thank not only my officers for their dedication to solving this case, but also Garry's family and friends who have supported us throughout.

"They miss Garry a great deal and continue to try and make sense of why this happened."

The court heard that police were called at around 4.10am on May, 30, 2009 to reports of a hit-and-run in De Havilland Road, Edgware.

Police and London Ambulance Service officers found Mr Frater, 32, of Cobham Close, lying injured in the road and took him to Northwick Park Hospital, where he later died from multiple internal injuries.

An incident room opened at Hendon and an investigation established that Garry had been on a night out with friends in Watford and while there, had come into contact with Louis Tate.

Garry and his friends returned to Edgware in their cab, but were followed more than ten miles to Halford Close, where a fight broke out.

Following this, the car drove to the end of the Close, turning onto De Havilland Road, and was chased by Garry and one of his friends.

The car was then seen to reverse back across the junction at high speed, hitting Garry who was in the middle of the road and dragging him backwards under the car.

The car then drove forward at speed, again dragging Garry under the wheels as it drove off.

Officers were able to trace the Ford Fiesta to an address in Acton, where it was parked on the driveway with significant damage consistent with the collision.

Forensic analysis showed Garry's fingerprints and blood on the recovered Ford Fiesta.

Tate was arrested and taken to a North London police station were he gave a 'no comment' interview. He was charged with murder on June 10, 2009.

A second man was acquitted of murder or manslaughter at trial at the Old Bailey on March 30 this year.

A third man arrested in connection with the investigation was released with no further action.