Two brothers from London are among men jailed after two boys were violently attacked in Southend, Essex.

Aurel Ukcenaj of Marischal Road in Lewisham and Xheni Ukcenaj of Chase Side in Enfield were sentenced after admitting to have caused grievous bodily harm with intent, and produced cannabis in Essex.

The incident took place on October 11 in 2022, when Essex Police were called shortly before 4.25am to reports of a disturbance in York Road, Southend.

Officers attended and found a teenage boy with serious injuries at the crime scene. He was rushed to the hospital in a critical condition.

A second teenager was also taken to hospital with injuries to his legs. A spokesperson for Essex Police said both boys have since recovered.

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A probe was launched by officers from Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate to determine the circumstances of the crime. They were able to identify that a violent incident had taken place between two groups, one of which was reportedly in charge of a “large cannabis grow” involving more than 100 plants in a property.

The spokesperson said that during a confrontation between the groups, the two victims tried to flee the area.

At this stage, three people including the Ukcenaj brothers, who were all part of an organised crime group got into a Ford Focus car that was used to “violently injure” both victims.

One of the victims, the spokesperson added, was also stabbed three times by Aurel Ukcenaj whilst lying on the ground. The car had then left the area.

Following the investigation, 32-year-old Aurel and 27-year-old Xheni, along with a third man named Elton Vata of Westcliff, were charged with production of cannabis.

A trial was due to begin on Tuesday (November 7) at Basildon Crown Court, but all the three men entered guilty pleas which was accepted by Essex Police jointly with the Crown Prosecution Service.

On Friday (November 10), Xheni was sentenced to 15 years in prison and will serve ten years before he becomes eligible for release.

Aurel was similarly sentenced to 12 years in prison and will serve eight years before he can be released.

Detective Inspector Lydia George, who led the investigation from the outset, said the Ukcenaj brothers' immediate response when the incident began was one of “extreme violence”.

She added: “This case shows the extremely dangerous nature of being involved in the supply of any illicit drugs. The harm which is caused through the cultivation and supply of illegal drugs should never be underestimated.”

She labelled the groups involved in the incident as “intimidating, reckless and ruthless” who prey upon vulnerable people and children.

She said further: “The investigation uncovered the criminal dealings of the Ukcenaj brothers and Vata and that work left them with few options but to admit their parts in the incident and all three have been sentenced to an appropriate time in prison.”