A 21-year-old murderer who shot dead a self-proclaimed drug dealer and known gang member will be 55 years old when he first becomes eligible for release.

Jaquii Pearman Desilva, who turned 21 at the weekend, was jailed for life yesterday for the cold-blooded murder of Prince Edness and told he would serve a minimum of 35 years behind bars before he could be considered for parole.

Following the sentencing hearing he was taken to Westgate where his biological father, Jermaine Pearman, is also serving a life sentence for the 2009 murder of his estranged girlfriend Shakeya DeRoza. Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves told Pearman Desilva that his actions on the evening of December 7, last year when he shot dead Mr Edness were those of a hunter ruthlessly stalking his prey.

“The large number of bullets deposited into the deceased is also a factor,” said Mr Justice Greaves. “It demonstrated a strong, settled intent to bring about his death with disregard for the public executing the deceased in the presence and close vicinity of a citizen who was having his ways and means in his garden.

“It shows tremendous arrogance that must be seriously frowned upon.”

Earlier in yesterday’s hearing Pearman Desilva was asked if there was anything he wanted to say before he was sentenced.

He replied: “No I have nothing to say.”

Last month Pearman Desilva was convicted by a jury of murdering Mr Edness, using a firearm to commit an indictable offence, using a firearm while trying to flee from police and possessing a firearm and ammunition.

Mr Edness, 29, was shot outside a Southampton property just over two weeks after he walked free from court having been cleared of the 2006 murder of teenager Jason Lightbourne.

Pearman Desilva fled the murder scene on the back of a motorbike before opening fire at police as he tried to make his escape.

Detectives later seized a bandanna and a bike helmet that had Pearman Desilva’s DNA and particles commonly associated with gunshot residue (GSR) at his girlfriend’s house.

Traces of the elements that make up GSR were also found in the passenger seat of a vehicle that Pearman Desilva travelled in after the shooting.

Pearman Desilva was arrested after trying to escape from the police again by jumping off a 50ft cliff into the sea close to the guesthouse where he had been staying.

During the trial Detective Constable Leroy Mathurin told jurors that police suspected that Mr Edness was murdered by members of his own gang.

“From early in the investigation we received information that Mr Edness was murdered by his own colleagues, members of Parkside,” he said. “The reason was because the information suggested they were of the opinion that he was giving information to the police.”

Pearman Desilva chose not to take the stand and give evidence at his trial. Yesterday Mr Justice Greaves said there were no mitigating factors in Pearman Desilva’s favour when he passed down the sentence.

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