A teenager who murdered a man from Gillingham has been sentenced to life despite an investigation being launched into whether he is a victim of modern-day slavery.

The announcement was revealed by Nathan Kitenge-Mpiana's barrister Oliver Saxby QC, following a probation report.

But Judge Philip Statman ruled that sentencing should go ahead before ordering the 18-year-old should be detained for life.

The killer will now have to serve a minimum term of 14 years and 141 days before he can be considered for parole.

Judge Statman told him he had seen the teenager give evidence and ruled that he was intelligent and "someone knowing the difference between right and wrong."

He added: "You knew when you set out precisely what you were doing."

Student Kitenge-Mpiana was found guilty of murdering Anthony Eastwood in July in an event described to a jury as "akin to an assassination."

Footage of Kitenge in Gillingham on the day of the killing

During the trial at Maidstone Crown Court, the jury heard how Kitenge-Mpiana who was 17 at the time, was a county lines dealer who stabbed the 35-year-old victim five times after stalking him to near The Monarch pub in Fox Street.

Prosecutor Philip Bennetts QC had described the killing, which happened on the afternoon of Friday, December 20 last year, as "akin to an assassination."

Kitenge-Mpiana - who was arrested at the Channel Tunnel terminal in Coquelles, France, in January this year - claimed he had been impersonated by another gang member who had taken his clothes.

But the jury rejected his account and ruled he had gone searching Mr Eastwood over a "possible drug grudge" and spotted him near Burger King - an incident which was caught on CCTV.

He followed his victim for two minutes and caught up with him in Fox Street - and stabbed him so hard it snapped the knife and fractured his ribs.

Judge Statman told him: "You stabbed him hard and you stabbed him deep in broad daylight in a quasi-suburban street."

He said there were others "above you in the drug chain" involved in the killing who have yet to be brought to justice.

Today, Mr Eastwood's partner, Stephanie Hall said in a victim impact statement: "The day Nathan Kitenge ended my Tony's life, my life ended too.

"Tony was my strength, my courage, my love. With Tony by my side I felt like everything was achievable.

"I'd fall asleep with a smile on my face and wake up with a smile on my face.

Police at the scene of the killing in December

"I feel like I am nothing without him. Now before I go to sleep I don't want to wake up and when I do I wake up so sad.

"My faith in everything has gone, even my faith in God."

The teenage killer, from King Edward’s Road, Barking, fled to Coquelles had been travelling to Paris with his mother, who is in her 40s, when he was arrested.

Less than a month after his death, Mr Eastwood's sister paid tribute to him and pleaded for justice to be done.

She said: "He was lovely, big hearted. He would do anything for anyone."

DCI Tristan Kluibenschadl of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Director said: "County lines drug dealing is a problem shared by communities the length and breadth of the UK, with those responsible often committing acts of extreme violence in order to protect their particular brand.

"We cannot be sure of the reason why Nathan Kitenge targeted Tony Eastwood, but what is certain is that he murdered him in broad daylight with no thought for the effect it would have on Mr Eastwood’s family and friends, those who witnessed the stabbing and the wider community.

"Kitenge’s excuse that somebody else stole his clothes before attacking Mr Eastwood was ludicrous and I was confident the jury would see through his lies. However, it is thanks to the fantastic work of my officers who analysed hours of CCTV footage and telephone records that it could be proven beyond any reasonable doubt that Kitenge was the person responsible.

"Class A drugs ruin lives, as this case tragically proves in relation to both Mr Eastwood and Kitenge himself, who at just 18 will now spend at least 15 years behind bars.

"I hope this result sends a clear message that Kent Police takes a zero tolerance approach towards those who bring such unacceptable levels of violence into our county. We simply will not stand for it."

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