Ms Peart died of a single gunshot wound

Pauline Peart, 25, from Waltham Abbey, Essex, was shot as she chatted to a friend in Tottenham, north London.

The judge, Mr Justice Astill, condemned killers Maurice Miller, 21, and Nebra Bennett, 24, for "posturing" with a loaded gun.

He ordered them to serve at least 18 years. They were found guilty at the Old Bailey on Thursday.

The pair, from north London, had both denied Miss Peart's murder in March 2003.

The carrying of a gun does not demonstrate power, it demonstrates that you are being despicable cowards Mr Justice Astill, judge 'In the wrong place at the wrong time'

Sentencing the pair on Friday, Mr Justice Astill said: "Whatever happens to you now you have the benefit of a life but you deprived that young woman of her life and you deprived her family of the joy of seeing her life develop.

"You both believe that carrying a loaded gun and the posturing that goes with it increases the esteem with which others hold you.

"But in our society it has the opposite effect. The carrying of a gun does not demonstrate power, it demonstrates that you are being despicable cowards who depend on the use of extreme violence to get whatever you want."

A statement on behalf of the victim's family was read outside the court by Donna Swaby, one of Pauline's sisters, calling for the government to ban the sale of replica guns which can be converted into live weapons.

Nebra Bennett, left, and Maurice Miller both denied murder

"The family are still coming to terms with the murder of Pauline, she meant everything to us and we miss her very much," she said.

"Today justice has been done. The people responsible are still to disclose why they took Pauline from us and that will always leave a vacuum in our hearts and souls."

Miss Peart lived alone in Waltham Abbey, Essex, and did not know either defendant.

Orlando Pownall QC, prosecuting, told the court she was killed as she was talking to her friend, Yemmi Johnson, who was sitting in the passenger seat of her convertible Audi TT car.

He said the murder weapon was eventually found in a bin at Miller's address.

In an interview with police, Miller claimed Bennett had fired the fatal shot and that Mr Johnson had shown disrespect in the past.