A man who murdered his cousin following a family row was jailed for life yesterday.

Newham Recorder: Paul Hamilton was sentenced to life for murdering his cousinPaul Hamilton was sentenced to life for murdering his cousin (Image: Archant)

Liam Hamilton, 33, from Poplar, was stabbed in the back with a large kitchen knife in Poplar High Street in July last year.

His cousin, Paul Hamilton, 30, of Woodstock Terrace, Poplar, has been told that he will serve a minimum of 26 years in jail after he was found guilty of murder following a trial at the Old Bailey.

Paul Hamilton’s brothers, Thomas and Noel, were found not guilty of murder of violent disorder, and a fourth brother, James, was found not guilty of violent disorder.

The fatal stabbing followed two fights between two eight year-old female family members earlier in the day.

The dispute escalated when the four brothers confronted Liam Hamilton and other family members later in the day, culminating in Liam being fatally stabbed at about 10pm.

All four of the defendants claimed they had acted in self-defence.

Detective Sergeant Martin Head, from the Metropolitan Police’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, 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.

“This is a tragedy for all involved and it is right that Paul Hamilton should spend a long time behind bars for his actions.”