Mum of Lee Chapman's murderer warns about dangers of drug gangs

She is now speaking out in a bid to help other parents after her 17-year-old son was convicted of murdering Lee Chapman in Southend.

After her first hand experience, she wants to ensure no parents see their child fall victim to county lines gangs.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was jailed for life alongside Lamar Davis, 18, of Southchurch Road, Southend, and Tyrell Thompson, 24, of Kingston Road, London.

Tyrell Thompson (left) and Lamar Davis (right)

The boy’s mother claims her son was drawn into the gang by the promise of flashy clothes and expensive trainers.

She said: “Mr Chapman, that poor man, not a day goes by that I do not think about his family.

“I have got four sons, I want them educated on how these gang members work.

“He started off at the bottom of the chain and worked his way up. He himself told me ‘I’m in too deep, what am I going to do’.

“I know he was asking to be put on tags so he didn’t have to explain to people why he couldn’t go and sell drugs for them anymore.

Victim - Lee Chapman sadly died on March 6

“They are generous, they make you think it’s cool to be in a gang. They target children with clothes and £400 pairs of shoes.

“They will then have to work off these debts.

“You will end up doing a long stretch in prison or you will end up dead, it’s a terrible thing what’s going on.

“I am not making an excuse, but county lines is out of control.”

Tyrell Thompson was the second in command of the “Max” County Lines operation, and Mr Chapman, 26, was a drug runner who had been robbed of his supply prior to the attack on March 6, 2020.

A huge vigil was held in memory of Mr Chapman in Cromer Road, with friends describing him as a “people pleaser”.

Memorial - Lee's vigil in Cromer Road

The mother claims signs include a child having a new group of friends that are older, a new phone, and large amounts of cash that can’t be accounted for.

She said: “It’s a child’s dream, making them feel like they are in a family. Before they know it they have a debt to work off and they have to sell drugs and if they don’t the repercussions will be horrendous.

“There’s a void in my life, I know things will never be the same for us.

“But he’s still here, but Mr Chapman, they won’t see him again.

“If I can stop another child getting into that way of life, or another family losing their child, then there are sense to look out for and to be looked for.”

Scene - Cromer Road, Southend