A BOY who murdered two people in Colchester will serve at least 27 years in prison.

One of seventeen-year-old Fairweather's victims was James Attfield, 33, formerly of Grays.

James Fairweather was sentenced at the Old Bailey today after a two-week trial at Guildford Crown Court.

The sentence is the minimum period Fairweather must serve in custody before he is eligible to be considered for release on parole.

He gave a thumbs up to his parents when he appeared in the dock this afternoon.

Fairweather, 17, of Thorpe Walk, Colchester, was found guilty of killing James Attfield, 33, of East Bay, Colchester on March 29, 2014.

He was also found guilty of killing Nahid Almanea, 31, of Woodrow Way, Colchester on June 17, 2014.

The jury reached unanimous verdicts.

He also admitted possession of an offensive weapon after being caught on the Salary Brook Trail on May 26, 2015.

Mr Justice Robin Spencer delivered his sentence at 2.49pm.

Mr Justice Spencer said: "I have to sentence you for two brutal and sadistic murders committed when you were only 15-years-old."

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Worron, Head of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "The actions of James Fairweather devastated two families who lost their loved ones in horrific circumstances.

"No sentence will ever bring James and Nahid back and it will not stop their families from grieving every day. After they were killed both my officers and I gave an undertaking that we would do everything we could to find their killer and bring them to justice and we did that.

"Today I would like to pay tribute to James and Nahid and thank their families who have been nothing but supportive of my officers and staff during this investigation."

Mr Worron added: "The ferocious nature of the killings had a massive impact on the Colchester community, striking fear and tension among the town’s residents for 14 months.

"The community of Colchester came together and helped us to bring this killer to justice. Residents listened to our community reassurance advice and appeals. A member of the public called in when she saw Fairweather acting suspiciously on the Salary Brook Brook Trail on Tuesday, May 26 last year and he was subsequently arrested. Tensions in the town did dissipate and confidence returned over time and that was due to the strength and resilience of the local people, minority groups, businesses and partnerships working together in Colchester.”

When sentencing Fairweather the judge praised the police investigation. He described it as a particularly difficult investigation for the police which had huge implications in terms of cost and emotional strain.

He said: "Those leading the investigation deserve the highest commendation and the public of Colchester have reason to be very grateful.”