logo
Girl shot in Hackney in 'planned' hit of rival gang members

Girl shot in Hackney in 'planned' hit of rival gang members

BBC News22-07-2025
A nine-year-old girl was shot in the head when a gunman on a motorbike opened fire during "a planned assassination" of rival gang members, a court has heard.The Old Bailey heard the girl was eating dinner with her family at the Evin restaurant in Kingsland High Street in Dalston, east London, on 29 May last year when she was hit by a bullet.The drive-by shooting also left three men seriously injured, with bullet wounds to various parts of their bodies.Javon Riley, 33, has pleaded not guilty to four charges of attempted murder together with others and an alternative charge of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent against the girl, who cannot be named because of her age.
It is alleged Mr Riley played "a key role before, during and after the shooting".Mr Riley, of Tottenham, north London carried out a reconnaissance, going past the scene several times to ensure the target or targets were present before the shooting and he helped the gunman evade capture, it is alleged.The gunman has never been tracked down.On Tuesday, prosecutor James Mulholland KC said: "The prosecution case is that this was a planned assassination of members of a rival gang by Mr Riley and others."This is evident from the degree of planning involved, his behaviour and comments before, during and after the event - as well as common sense."Those who wanted this shooting to take place put the planning of the event under Mr Riley's control, possibly with the assistance of others."
'Intense rivalry'
Mr Mulholland added that the shooting appeared to have been part of "an ongoing dispute" between two rival groups in London known as the Tottenham Turks and the Hackney Turks, also known as the "Bombacilars", but the "immediate reason for it was unknown".He said: "These two gangs have had an intense rivalry for well over a decade which has involved the use of extreme violence towards one another during that period, and it is the prosecution case that what was intended was the murder of whomever was targeted."Those seated outside restaurant had affiliations towards the Hackney Turks and the ones who had ordered the shooting were from the Tottenham Turks, the prosecution said.Mr Mulholland told the jury: "You will hear in conversations covertly recorded in a car used by Javon Riley some time after the shooting that, although he was not a member of the Tottenham Turks, he clearly knew of them and was linked to them and that they were behind the shooting."It is not suggested that Mr Riley fired the shots from the Ducati Monster motorbike which stopped briefly on the road outside the restaurant.
Jurors were told the rider "raised his right arm and fired six shots in quick succession" which hit the three men sitting in a group outside, but also struck the little girl.The court was told the girl had made "a relatively good recovery" after going through several intensive operations. Mustafa Kiziltan, Kenan Aydogdu and Nasser Ali, who were seated with others at a pavement table outside the busy restaurant, were also left with bullet wounds.It is claimed that Mr Riley was "vital in the carrying out of the plan to kill".The court heard that after the shooting, the gunman rode the motorbike to a nearby street where Mr Riley was waiting in a stolen Nissan Juke on false plates before they "calmly" headed to north London before transferring into Mr Riley's Range Rover.Covert police recordings in the months after the shooting, show Mr Riley talking about a man called Izzet Eren, who is linked to the Tottenham Turks and was shot in Moldova on 10 July last year in what was believed to be a revenge attack.He also spoke about a man called "Kem", whom the prosecution believe is Kemal Eren - one of those closely involved in the Tottenham Turks.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Driver who killed four-year-old girl during Eid celebrations when he ploughed into crowd after hitting a car faces years in jail
Driver who killed four-year-old girl during Eid celebrations when he ploughed into crowd after hitting a car faces years in jail

Daily Mail​

time23 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Driver who killed four-year-old girl during Eid celebrations when he ploughed into crowd after hitting a car faces years in jail

A driver who killed a four-year-old girl after he ploughed into a group of people celebrating Eid has been pictured for the first time. Careless driver Javonnie Tavener, 23, faces years in jail after he admitted causing the death of little Mayar Yahia in Birmingham in April last year. Mayah was walking down a pavement with her family when Tavener's Corsa collided with another car and hurtled past a barrier into a group of pedestrians. The four-year-old tragically died at the roadside, while her mother Sara and their neighbour were left seriously injured. Tavener was charged with causing death by careless driving, causing death whilst driving uninsured and two counts of causing serious injury by careless driving. He appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday and admitted all charges. He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at a later date. Mayar's father Babiker previously said: 'She [Mayah] was an extraordinary young girl, only four years old, full of life and joy, and her absence leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives. 'Among all, she held a special place in my heart. Words fail to capture the depth of our grief and the magnitude of this loss. 'However, we find solace and strength in the unwavering support and compassion shown by the police officers, our community, family and friends.' Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from West Midlands Police, said: 'Mayar was just four years old when her life was tragically taken away from her. 'She was walking back with her family and friends after celebrating Eid. 'Pedestrians should be afforded and be reassured of protection when walking on the pavement and a split-second decision by Tavener to overtake where he did has led to this tragic chain of events. 'I would urge all drivers to think about this incident and how those decisions can have such catastrophic consequences.' The tragedy shocked the local community and prompted renewed calls for improved road safety measures and tougher enforcement against bad drivers. The road where Mayar died is now due to be pedestrianised following a campaign led by the family and Better Streets for Birmingham campaigners. It will prevent traffic from accessing a section of Upper Highgate Street near New Hope Community Park. A man who witnessed the aftermath of the crash said: 'It's disgusting, something has to be done. 'It's the boy racers coming down here so fast. The poor child. People were speeding past even while they were trying to save her.' An 87-year-old woman, who chose to not be named, said the roads in the area can be 'frightening'. She said: 'I've been crossing this road [Upper Highgate Street] for a long time. One time a driver came the wrong way and almost hit me.' Mohammed Ibrahim, 36, said: 'I live on the 11th floor so when we heard voices, screaming, we came down and found something had happened here. 'It's very sad. We need [speed] bumps in this road. It's very dangerous.'

Asylum seekers 'move into' four-star Canary Wharf hotel under cover of darkness despite anti-migrant protests
Asylum seekers 'move into' four-star Canary Wharf hotel under cover of darkness despite anti-migrant protests

Daily Mail​

time26 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Asylum seekers 'move into' four-star Canary Wharf hotel under cover of darkness despite anti-migrant protests

People believed to be asylum seekers appear to have moved into a glitzy four-star hotel in London under the cover of darkness. A coach full of suspected migrants was seen arriving at the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf at around 1.40am on Saturday morning. Tower Hamlets Council confirmed the Government intends to use the hotel - which has around 500 rooms - for asylum seekers in a move that has angered anti-migrant protesters and guests whose bookings have been cancelled. Footage of the passengers getting off the coach showed they were all men, with the vast majority dressed in matching grey tracksuit tops and bottoms. They were helped by masked security guards, some of whom appeared to be wearing body cameras. Last week, workers were seen hauling beds and mattresses into the hotel in preparation for the arrival of 'hundreds' of asylum seekers. A barricade of metal fencing was placed around the hotel by the Metropolitan Police after anti-migrant demonstrators protested the plan for immigrants to be housed there. Met Police officers were called to the Britannia International Hotel last week amid warnings the 'discontent is real' in Britain. Footage on social media shows eggs were thrown, while a police helicopter was circling above as officers on the ground blocked the entrance to the hotel which has more than 500 rooms and is located on the waterfront of the South Dock. The Canary Wharf protest did not reach the violence seen in Epping, with YouTuber-types making up a large proportion of the crowd in preparation for any tension. However, there were still dozens of protesters - some wearing masks and others draped in St George's flags. One placard said: 'This is a peaceful protest to protect our own.' Counter-protesters also gathered outside the scene - and in one clip appeared to be escorted away from the hotel by police as protesters followed behind. Furious hotel guests have left damning reviews online, claiming they were told their stays were 'cancelled'. One wrote: 'My confirmed reservation was cancelled less than 24 hours before my stay via a brief phone call, citing a 'private hire' event.' Another said: 'Completely unprofessional company. Hotel cancelled my booking at last minute because they had a bulk booking.' And a third fumed: 'Booked in for three nights on 18th July. Told we couldn't stay on Sunday night no explanation but waiter said they were closing. Left to go to other hotel 1 hr away on Sunday. Waste of a day.' While guests claimed they were not given a reason for the cancellations, a spokesman for Tower Hamlets Council confirmed: 'We are aware of the Government's decision to use the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf to provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers. 'It is important that the Government ensures that there is a full package of support for those staying at the hotel. 'We are working with the Home Office and partners to make sure that all necessary safety and safeguarding arrangements are in place.' Local residents group chief Maxi Gorynski is an IT worker renting a high-rise flat in Canary Wharf. He made clear he wanted to distinguish himself and fellow residents from far-right demonstrators, saying they were 'notably distinct'. However, he told the Financial Times he was concerned the suspected asylum seekers could bring 'bag theft and gig economy fraud, all the way up to robbery, arson, sexual assault, rape, even murder' to their area. Felicity J Lord estate agent John Costea also told the FT that clients from the UK and abroad had asked 'many questions' about what is going on, such as 'how is it going to reflect their property value'. The Daily Mail has contacted the Home Office for comment. Protests have broken out across the country this summer, with more than 150 gathering outside The Park Hotel, in Diss, Norfolk last week after the Home Office announced plans to change it from housing asylum-seeker families to single men. Trouble first broke out in Epping two weeks ago after Ethiopian asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in the town by attempting to kiss her. He denies the charges. The protest started peacefully, but descended into frenzied violence when anti-migrant demonstrators clashed with counter protesters and police. Essex Police has faced major questions after footage emerged of officers escorting pro-migrant activists to the hotel - despite the force initially denying this has happened. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage posted footage allegedly showing pro-migrant protesters being 'bussed' to the demonstration in police vans but Essex Police said this was 'categorically' untrue. However, after footage emerged of cops leading pro-migrant activists to the hotel by foot, Essex police admitted its officers had escorted the protesters. Farage had called for Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington to quit, saying it was 'absolutely disgraceful' and 'heads must roll'. But Chief Constable Harrington rejected claims his officers had given a higher level of protection to pro-migrant protesters. He said: 'The only protection that officers are doing is to those lawful and law-abiding people, whether they are in that accommodation, whether they are the people of Epping or whether they are people who are standing there with placards and banners wishing to make a very important and legitimate view, whichever your views about it. 'Where officers have intervened that is because there has been are not being partial in any way, shape or form.' When asked if he would resign, he said: 'No, I am not going to do that. This is not about me, this is about the communities of Essex... the issue is not about my resignation.' He said Essex Police made 10 arrests, adding: 'What has been unacceptable has been the people who have come to Epping and committed violence, who have attacked people who work at the hotel, who have attacked officers, who have damaged property and who have caused fear and disruption to the people of Epping. 'That is not tolerable, it will not be tolerated, and to that end, we have made 10 arrests.' In a warning to Farage and other politicians about their online posts, he added: 'It is not the police's job to clamp down on elected politicians... All I am asking is that people are responsible about what they say and they consider the real world consequences.' MPs and council leaders have raised fears that Britain could be heading for another 'summer of riots' - in a repeat of the street violence that followed the Southport murders last year. Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner warned that anger at high levels of illegal immigration is risking social cohesion in Britain's poorest communities and must be addressed. Her comments came after Sir Keir Starmer was warned by Epping Forest Council Leader Christ Whitbread that the UK is a 'powder keg' that could explode. Newly appointed shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly criticised the Prime Minister for a 'disconnect from reality' when it comes to housing asylum seekers.

Human remains in remote house identified as man missing for 6 years after two arrested on suspicion of murder
Human remains in remote house identified as man missing for 6 years after two arrested on suspicion of murder

The Sun

time26 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Human remains in remote house identified as man missing for 6 years after two arrested on suspicion of murder

HUMAN remains found in a remote house have been identified as a missing man who was last seen six years ago. Cops have now confirmed human remains which were discovered in Yorkshire last month are that of a man who went missing in 2019. 3 3 3 The remains of Richard Dyson were found in a property on Broadcarr Road in Holyland on July 14. Richard was 55 when he was reported missing in November 2019. His family has been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. Two men, aged 72 and 71, who were re-arrested on suspicion of murder last month have been bailed as investigations continue, South Yorkshire Police say. Detective Inspector Adam Watkinson said: "Our thoughts today are with Richard Dyson's family on what is an extremely difficult day for everyone who knew and loved him. "We have supported Richard's loved ones throughout our investigation into his disappearance, and will continue to do so following this tragic news. We're urging the public and members of the media to please respect their privacy at this time. "Our investigation into Richard's death is very much ongoing and I'd urge anyone who has information which could help our investigation to share it with us if you have not done so already." The Sun previously reported the discovery of human remains in the search for Richard Dyson last month. At the time, authorities did not confirm whether the discovery of the body belonged to Richard. He was walking along the A6135 Sheffield strangely disappeared at about 11pm on November 17. Scenes had been put in place on Dike Hill, Sheffield Road and Hoyland Common.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store