Two teens found guilty of killing a man in Waltham Abbey
The pair will be sentenced next month.
Two teenage boys have been found guilty of killing a man in Waltham Abbey earlier this year.
It's after 50 year-old Neil Darnell, was found seriously injured at 10am on Friday 16th April after being hit by a car on Farm Hill Road.
The driver of the vehicle failed to stop at the scene and the car was found abandoned a short time later.
CCTV footage recovered showed that two teenagers had been to Le Golden Touch barbers on Market Square that morning.
An unknown man had approached the barbers to threaten the teenagers, before slashing the tyres of their car.
He then left the area on a bicycle.
Despite the car having been damaged and in an unsafe condition to drive, the teens got behind the wheel to pursue the man at speed.
Neil was an innocent pedestrian crossing the road and was hit by the car.
A 17 year-old from Cheshunt was arrested on the 8th May and charged with murder.
Within a week, a second 17 year-old from Hertford was arrested and charged with murder.
The driver was later found guilty of murder, while the passenger was found guilty of manslaughter.
Both will be sentenced in December.
Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood said: “What initially appeared to be a case of dangerous driving turned out to be much more disturbing.
“Evidence clearly showed that both the driver and passenger got behind the wheel of their car intending to cause harm to someone.
“During their pursuit, the driver drove directly at oncoming vehicles and mounted the pavement several times to deliberately try and collide with the cyclist.
“Even after they hit a completely innocent bystander, who subsequently lost his life, they continued to follow the cyclist with no regard for anyone else around them.
“At no point did they attempt to get help for the man they had fatally injured. Their only focus was to cover their involvement.
“As with any investigation where someone’s life has been cut short by the actions of others, I know this result cannot bring back the loving husband and father Neil’s family have lost.
“I hope they can take some solace knowing that our teams have worked tirelessly throughout the investigation and that those involved have been convicted of their crimes.”