Man jailed for murder of cousin after children's fight
A man has been jailed for murdering his cousin following a dispute that escalated from a petty squabble between two eight-year-old children.
Liam Hamilton, 32, from Poplar, east London, died after being stabbed in the back with a large kitchen knife in Poplar High Street in July last year.
On Thursday Paul Hamilton, 30, of Woodstock Terrace, Poplar, was convicted of murder.
He was sentenced to life with a minimum of 26 years.
His brothers Thomas and Noel were found not guilty of murder or violent disorder, and a fourth brother, James, was found not guilty of violent disorder.
The police said the fight followed two arguments between two eight-year-old girls in the family.
They said the four brothers confronted Liam Hamilton and some other family members which culminated in him being stabbed.
All four of the defendants claimed they acted in self-defence.
Det Sgt Martin Head said: "What started out as a seemingly minor family row escalated into a senseless murder, which will have a long-lasting impact on all members of the family."