Two brothers from Watford and their mother have been sentenced to life in prison after a father was shot in the face.

Armed with a shotgun, Anthony Olive and John Bowie were driven to Ogard Road in Hoddesdon by their mother Michaela Olive on the night of Tuesday, December 4, 2018.

Once there Michaela waited in her car with the engine running in nearby Castle Road ready to be the getaway driver.

Her sons went to the house where they knew 26-year-old father of two Esam Ayad was and shot him in the face by firing through an open upstairs window.

He was rushed to hospital but died of his injuries the following day.

Watford Observer: Esam Ayad was shot in the face (photo Herts Police)Esam Ayad was shot in the face (photo Herts Police)

Following a three-month trial at Woolwich Crown Court, Olive, 29, Bowie, 27, both from Watford, and their mother Michaela Olive, aged 49, of Broxbourne, were found guilty of murder on Thursday, April 8.

Today (April 26) all three were handed life sentences.

Bowie must serve a minimum term of 32 years; Olive must remain behind bars for a minimum of 28 years and Michaela Olive must serve a minimum term of 22 years.

During the earlier trial, the court heard that the brothers tracked Esam down after he had been involved in an argument with their younger teenager brother earlier that day.

Speaking earlier this month, Detective Superintendent Jerome Kent, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “This has been a complex and challenging investigation with my officers working painstakingly to piece together evidence including CCTV footage, phone records, ANPR information and witness statements to provide Esam’s partner and children with some answers and bring these offenders to justice.

“Although the shotgun used in the murder of Esam has never been recovered we found gunshot residue in Michaela Olive’s white Mokka, which was seized as part of the investigation. Officers also received support from the local community who were shocked by this horrific killing.

“We may never know exactly why Olive and Bowie decided to kill Esam that night but it is clear that there was an acrimonious history between them. We’ll also never know why Michaela Olive agreed to drive her sons to the murder scene.

“I have no doubt that she knew they were armed with a shotgun when they got into her car. She not only failed to intervene to prevent the shooting from happening but played a key part.”