A teenager convicted of stabbing to death an 18-year-old outside his flat in Norwich already had a caution for possession of a knife.
Cameron Palmer, together with Hans Beeharry and Benjamin Gil, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Wednesday (October 4) for the murder of Joe Dix in Vale Green, Mile Cross, in January last year.
Mr Dix was attacked in the street after going to help a friend in a nearby crack den which was being raided by the trio.
Palmer had gone to City of Norwich School (CNS) where Gil was also a pupil.
The 19-year-old chose not to give evidence during the second trial in the summer although he did so during the first one, earlier this year.
It heard he was a good footballer who was interested in becoming a physio and had also considered a potential career on the oil and gas rigs.
He had been "very close" with Gil who he described as "almost family".
Prior to his arrest in February last year Palmer had no previous convictions and just one youth conditional caution for possession of a knife.
He smoked cannabis but no other drugs and said he was not a member of a gang and said he did not know anyone who was.
It was the finding and unlocking of Palmer's mobile phone which resulted in jurors being discharged in the first trial and a retrail taking place after which the three were convicted.
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