The accomplice of a drug dealer that murdered Taylor Williams has apologised in court.

Terence Maccabee was convicted of the manslaughter of Mr Williams in Shooters Way by a jury last year.

Now, as the 20-year-old was sentenced to 13 years in prison, he apologised to the victim's family in court.

A letter, written by Maccabee and read to Mr Williams' family by Judge Martin Spencer, said: "I have read their reports, and it made me sad to read them.

"I want to say sorry to them.

"I believe I have been given a second chance, Taylor did not get a second chance.

"I am going to be in prison and I will not waste my time.

"I want to thank the people who saved my life."

Maccabee was just 18 years old when he was involved in the failed robbery of Mr Williams' gang, and the court was told on Tuesday afternoon that he was the "understudy" to Olamide Soyege. Soyege was given a life sentence for murder in January.

READ ALSO: Man jailed for 13 years after manslaughter of Taylor Williams

As previously reported, Maccabee, alongside Soyege and Paige Taylor, robbed a drugs runner in Bermuda Park, Popley, just hours before the fatal altercation in Kingfisher House, Shooters Way, on August 31, 2019.

They had been ordered to "deal with" the competition caused by two other drugs lines that had started operations in Basingstoke.

After robbing the runner, who belonged to the Coco line, the trio planned to rob drugs from the base of the Ray line.

But when they entered and ordered the dealers to get on their knees to be searched, Taylor Williams stood up for himself and pushed Soyege.

A fight ensued that saw Williams stabbed five times by Soyege, and Maccabee also sustained a stab wound.

After fleeing the scene, an ambulance was called for him at Normanton Road, where he was rushed to hospital and later arrested.

The court heard how after sustaining serious injuries himself, Maccabee realised "what a waste of life" he had become, according to his defence counsel, Tana Adkin QC.

She told the court: "Mr Williams' young life being taken has had a significant impact on him, that it could have so easily have been his life that was also lost on the 31st August.

"He has already demonstrated an intention to turn things around, by completing an English qualification whilst in custody, and become an avid reader.

"We submit that the impact of Taylor Williams' mothers' own words cannot be underestimated.

"His apology is genuine, and it may be no comfort, but he has genuinely apologised."