Two men have been sentenced to life in prison for stabbing a father to death over a debt to his friend.

Tyler Marshall, 20, and Cameron Stokes, 23, murdered Joshua Barr, 31, in Cambridge shortly after 05:00 GMT on March 10.

Marshall ran the so-called ASBO drug line in the city and one of Mr Barr’s friends owed him money, according to a four-week trial heard last month.

Marshall, of no fixed address, and Stokes, of Highfield Close in south Glamorgan, were both convicted of murder and jailed for life at Peterborough Crown Court. Stokes must serve a minimum term of 21 years and 132 days and Marshall a minimum term of 15 years and 132 days.

Mr Barr managed to flee the scene of the attack in Carlton Way and call an ambulance, but he collapsed and died an hour later from multiple stab wounds he received.

Marshall and Stokes were captured on CCTV cycling away from the scene after the stabbing, before later taking a taxi to Cardiff, Cambridgeshire Police said.

Armed police units stopped the taxi as it headed towards the Welsh capital at around 10pm on March 10 and they were arrested.

Paying tribute to Mr Barr last month, his family said: “Josh was caring, strong and a fighter. Everyone who met him said he had such a kind soul.

“He was a loving son and was much loved by all of us. He was a ray of sunshine.”

Detective Inspector Katie Dounias, of the Major Crime Unit, said: “Tackling violence, knife crime and drug dealing in the counties continues to be one of our main priorities in Cambridgeshire, and we work with local authorities, schools and other key partners on a daily basis, but this is not something the police and courts can do alone.

“We are urging parents, carers and young people themselves to help reinforce the message that if you are caught carrying a knife you will diminish your prospects and risk prosecution and, of course, tragedy.”