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Daily Mail
06-08-2025
- Daily Mail
Gang who flooded London with guns and drugs in deadly postcode war are jailed for 116 years over plot to shoot Britain's 'most hated drill rapper'
Seven members of a notorious London gang have been sentenced to a total of 116 years for conspiring a gun plot to try and shoot rival rapper. The Harrow Road Boys (HRB) bought firearms in a bid to harm drill star and Digga D as part of a gang war that left three people dead and brought communities to their knees. The group attempted to hunt down the controversial artist, who was part of the Ladbroke Grove–based CGM (Cherish God More) gang, as part of a tit–for–tat postcode war in west London in 2022 and 2023. The feud began when a member of Harrow Road Boys, which also flooded the streets of west London with drugs, was shot for entering the rival gang's territory. Two other killings were to follow, one of which involved the brother of a high ranking member of HRB, after which seven members of the gang were tasked with finding Digga D and harming him in revenge, Kingston Crown Court was told. Today they were jailed for more than 100 years after pleading guilty to firearms and drugs offences, with the judge labelling them a 'blight on their own community'. A fellow member of the group and rapper, Marvin William Bailey – better known by his stage name of Fredo – was also named as a conspirator in the trial. However, he failed to appear, with the court being told he is believed to be living abroad. Digga D, real name Rhys Herbert, 25, was jailed for almost four years in January for supplying 45kg of cannabis after he was arrested during an Instagram livestream. His rap songs and videos glorifying violence and goading rivals have seen him dubbed 'London's most hated rapper' due to his long list of enemies. Prosecutor Ian McLoughlin KC told the court that the first killing took place in July 2020, when Billy McCullagh, known as Billy da Kid, 'was shot dead by rival gang members in Harlesden'. Just a month later Jeffrey Wegbe, a 26–year–old known as Gucci, was also shot dead in Kilburn. Mr McLoughlin said his death was 'glorified' in a video for a drill rap song called 'Roll Up' released by Jayvon Tison, who is also known as Lil Dotz and is a member of the Harrow Road Boys. The lyrics of the song referred to 'taking a dead person's ashes and making them into a roll–up (cigarette) as a sign of disrespect', he said. Less than two years later in July 2022 Tison's 26–year–old brother Daneche was killed after being shot in the heart outside a block of flats in west Kilburn. Following this Tison 'lead the search' for Digga D, and sent a list of rival gang members to target, the court heard. The 24–year–old, who had an added status in the gang due to being a 'successful recording artist in his own right', also abused a woman to store a firearm in one of his music videos. Snapchat correspondence showed the gang members discussing holding and financing the firearms, where they said they no longer required 'a deeme' (a female) to store the firearm. Digga D (pictured), who is currently in prison for drugs offences, was targeted by the Harrow Road Boys after Daneche Tison's killing Eventually their £500–a–month 'lock', a name for an individual storing the weapons was recovered by police, and a week later there was a fatal shooting on August 23, 2022, the court was told. Mr McLoughlin, said the seven defendants intended to 'cause significant harm' as they attempted to hunt Digga D, who is a part of the CGM gang, down. Mr McLoughlin described it as a 'high culpability' case, demonstrated by weapons seized by police being replaced by the defendants. The members of the Harrow Road Boys gang – Jayvon Tison, Kylann Grannum, Mustafa Abdalla, Romello Briggs–Leon, Harry Crump, Yasin Abdulla and Herman Yikalo – pleaded guilty to conspiracy to posses a firearm with intent endanger life between July and November 2022. Abraham Safa Frimpong was found not guilty of the charge, but was found guilty of contravening the Prisons Act, by smuggling a phone behind bars. At the sentencing hearing today, a community impact statement from police constable, David Hammond, told how the gang wreaked havoc on the ward 'and beyond'. The Harrow Road Boys gang had a massive impact on the local community, the court heard, with a 'high level' of drug dealing and serious violence in the area. Children were recruited by the gang to expand the drug dealing operation outside of the capital, with offences by the Harrow Road Boys leaving the community in fear of 'when the next attack will be.' The gang felt they were 'above the law' the court was told, with people afraid to leave their homes and one local even abandoning their tenancy out of fear. On August 2023, crew showed 'complete disregard' for bail conditions set to prevent further offending and threw a party in the middle of Harrow Road. 'Gang violence has been a ward priority for several years. This is without a doubt the issue that concerns my residents the most,' the statement from the officer read. 'The hardest thing I have had to do is to deal with families who have lost their children to gang violence. He added that gang violence 'destroy[s] the lives of entire families in split seconds,' and that the network 'need[s] to be broken before another person is killed.' Police found two guns in a bag in a service cupboard next to a flat on the Mozart estate on October 24, 2022. They were forensically linked to Tison and Grannum. The prosecutor said the police also searched a flat in a tower block in Vauxhall on November 10, 2022 and and found a loaded gun hidden behind a panel in a roof void. 'The lead offence, conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life, is aggravated by the fact that the weapons were replaced when police found them,' said Mr McLoughlin. 'The gang used locks to keep the guns safe. There was a discharge of one firearm, and a firearm recovered was used to shoot at a group of CGM gang members in 2022.' He said they also hoped to gun down Digga D with the weapon. It was also heard that the gang smuggled in mobile phones into prisons across London by using drones. The handsets were used behind bars by prisoners to order illicit substances and tobaccos, which were also flown in via drone. Crump was also found guilty of possession with the intent to supply cocaine on February 28, 2023, after 16.3 g of the drug were found on a table his table, messages on his phone indicative of selling cocaine. On February 16, nine grams of heroin were recovered from Yasin Abdulla's home, which was thrown into a neighbouring balcony. Messages concerning the supply of drugs were also found on his phone. Mustafa Abdalla pleaded guilty with intent to supply a controlled drug after 580g cannabis was seized from his home address in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea on February 28, 2023. Yasin Abdulla was also found guilty of possessing with the intent to supply of heroin after nine grams of heroin were recovered from his address in Westminster on the same day last year. The drugs were thrown into a neighbouring balcony, with messages concerning drug dealing also recovered from his phone, the court was told. Judge Marcus Tregilgas–Davey said the HRB gang was 'involved in a long running and deadly rivalry with CGM including 'a long series of shootings and violent reprisals.' He added: 'The rivalry was further fuelled by tension between prominent members of the HRB CGM gangs, Fredo, and Digga D. 'One of the guns used by the HRB gang had been discharged. 'The firearm was recovered by police on a beach three days later. 'The gang used a woman to the store the firearm. A conversation recovered in a SnapChat group chat also showed how the gang discussed buying a lock for the gun. 'There were fatal shootings throughout 2022 in the Harrow area, and at the same time, there were videos of the CGM gang taunting their rivals and claiming responsibility for the violent attacks. 'The HRB gang actively searching for Digga D in what in my view was clearly going to be a hit involving a firearm after they learnt about his whereabouts in a music video in central London. 'There was significant planning. There was the use of a female to move the firearm around, and a youth to store the firearm and ammunition at an address in Harrow. 'It is also clear that there were significant discussions about sourcing locks for the guns on Snapchat. 'The gang posed a high risk due to the firearms, but there was also a high risk of disorder, as a hit on Digga D would have inevitably led to repercussions from CGM.' The judge added that the defendants were 'immersed in gang culture and violence' adding: 'You were living in the shadows of civilised society.' 'Not one of you have shed an ounce of remorse for what you have done,' he said. 'The truth is that you as members of the HRB are a blight on your own community.' Tison, Mustafa Abdallah, Briggs–Leon, Yasin Abdulla, Yikalo, and Grannum were sentenced to 17 years behind bars. Crump was jailed for 14 years for the same crime, while Safo Frimpong received a two year custodial sentence. One of the gang members shouted 'Light one. We will back soon' as he was led from the dock. Mitigating for Tison, Mr Alphege Bell said the 24–year–old suffered from PTSD and had been impacted by the deaths of family members, including his older brother and only remaining sibling who was shot dead on the street. They asked the court to be 'merciful' due to his 'sad' background. Representing Mustafa Abdalla, Mr Jeremy Rosenberg said the 31–year–old was a 'working man' who was married with two children, with the eldest suffering from non verbal autism. He told the court Abdalla had a 'unique' and 'special bond' with his son and was his 'primary carer' He added Abdalla was the one who was able to calm him down, which was sometimes difficult due to the child's learning difficulties. His younger child was born while he was in remand and he has not met his younger child, as Mr Rosenberg added: 'It is the children who will suffer the most.' Mitigating for Briggs Leon, Mr Andrew Frymann said the 30–year–old was a father to a two–year–old girl and had also been a primary carer for his mother, who is undergoing cancer treatment. Representing Yasin Abdulla, Mr Anthony Barraclough argued the defendant was 'remarkably quiet' in regards to correspondence when events of significance, such as the tracking of Digga D and shooting took place. Mr Barraclough added that Abdulla 'had to fend for himself' when his parents separated from a young age. Mr Paul Mylvaganam, mitigating for Yikalo, said the 31–year–old didn't fit 'the profile of a career criminal', adding that he had been a 'good son', who supported his mentally unwell brother as well as his sister and parents. Mitigating for Grannum, Mr John Fitzgerald said as the eldest of five life 'was extremely tough for him and his mother'. He argued the now 28–year–old was previously 'vulnerable' to gangs, as at the age of 14 there wasn't a guarantee supper would be 'on the table every day of the week. Representing Crump, Ms Jemma Levinson said the 24–year–old was 'significantly' younger than his co–conspirators. She added that his age being a 'significant factor' in him being drawn to certain activity and individuals. Mitigating for Safo Frimpong, Ms Puneet Grewal said 31–year–old had been impacted by a psychological condition and the ill health of his mother. She added that the defendant had been section under the Mental Health Act following her death. He then sought closeness with those who he grew up with after his loss according to doctors, she added. He was also diagnosed with anxiety. It was also heard that he had lost his place at university due to difficulty to cope, as well as struggling with unstable housing. She argued he had a lack of involvement with the Snapchat group and was trying to change his life in Portsmouth while on bail.
Daily Mail
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Britain's 'most hated drill rapper' is hauled to court AGAIN from his prison cell after driving his £200,000 Lamborghini without insurance near Piccadilly Circus
A drill star dubbed the most 'hated rapper in London' has been convicted of driving a £200,000-plus Lamborghini without insurance close to Piccadilly Circus, MailOnline can reveal. Digga D was prosecuted over the incident in 2023 while languishing in HMP Brixton where he is currently serving more than three years for drugs offences. The 24-year-old star, whose birth name is Rhys Herbert, has been convicted of driving the supercar without insurance on Piccadilly in the West End of London in October 2023. Piccadilly Circus is where he has filmed his music videos in the past, once shutting it down when he was mobbed by fans who scaled the world-famous statue of Eros. He faces an unlimited fine and a potential driving ban, according to court documents, and may even appear at Bexley Magistrates' Court from his London jail via video link when he is sentenced. Digga D is currently serving time for importing and dealing close to 50kg of cannabis. He was arrested last year and lives-streamed the moment armed police crashed into his home. Digga, as he is called by his fans, has multiple convictions for gang-related crime and drugs with friends claiming he had earned up to £3million from rapping before he was jailed four months ago. He told a court last year that he began smoking drugs aged 12. His use of rap songs and videos to goad rivals and glorify violence has seen him dubbed 'London's most hated rapper' online due to the number of enemies he has. Herbert, from west London, was even subject to a ultra-rare police order that controls his musical output because it was linked to violence. On one occasion he was almost blinded when stabbed in the eye by a rival during a previous spell in jail for a machete attack. On another occasion someone tried to kill him by opening fire on him in his car, MailOnline understands. In January this year Digga D was jailed for three years and 11 months for selling 45 kilos of cannabis after helping import the illegal drug from the US. He was arrested after police launched a raid on his property in Bracebridge Heath near Lincoln in the early hours of February 21 last year - while he was broadcasting live on Instagram . He pleaded guilty last May to importing 3.6 kilos of cannabis in June and July 2023 and a further charge of supplying cannabis. At his sentencing in January Judge Simon Hirst decided on the level of Herbert's drug dealing after hearing two days of evidence, because the prosecution did not accept the basis of his pleas. Judge Hirst said he was satisfied Herbert had played a significant role in selling cannabis for a commercial profit and jailed him for just under four years. Digga can be heard shouting: 'What do you lot want, I'm here! I am here! Stop! What are you lot doing?' with the sound of smashing glass in the background The court heard Herbert had six previous convictions for 13 offences, including possessing an offensive weapon and violent disorder for which he was sentenced to 30 months youth detention in March 2020. Herbert told a previous hearing that he began smoking cannabis from the age of 12 and used the drug throughout his teenage years to "help with his frequent migraines". He claimed it was 'a benefit' to buy his cannabis in bulk as he could afford it and it proved cheaper. The musician said buying in bulk also reduced the chance of him coming to the attention of the police as he was often stopped both in London and elsewhere in the country. He said he also obtained bags of cannabis to use in the video for his hit song I'm From. Mobile phone footage of the star handling a bag of cannabis and allegedly complaining about the poor quality was also played in court. A number of photographs also showed Herbert handling large amounts of cash, the court was told. His criminal past goes back to his teenage years. He last left prison in May 2020 after being sentenced to two and a half years for his part in a machete brawl in front of shoppers in central London. Digga D (pictured centre) invited his fan base to join him in Piccadilly Circus in London when he filmed a new music video in 2023. It was nearby where he was caught driving the Lamborghini Anti-knife campaigners also criticised the BBC for producing a documentary about a violent rapper in which he complains about his struggle to make music that glorifies gang attacks. BBC promotional material for the programme at the time stated: 'Police say they target drill because it promotes and causes violence, but the genre's supporters call this censorship and say that the art simply reflects real life. Digga's situation, and his ongoing story, embodies this dilemma. A Metropolitan Police order even banned him rapping about rivals or specific attacks, although he can refer to violence generally. His supporters said he was being censored. But he had hidden apparent coded references to attacks in songs, and the name of his group, The Conspiracy Gang Members, is thought to be a 'tribute' to members of his 1011 drill gang arrested in 2018 on their way to attack rivals. In 2018 five members of the 1011 gang, including Digga D, were jailed and banned from making violent videos after they were caught with machetes and baseball bats on the way to attack a rival gang in 2017. They had got in a black car and drove towards the postcode area of their rival's, the '12 World Gang' from Shepherd's Bush, intent on revenge. But police swooped and found they were carrying deadly weapons. A judge banned the five young men from mentioning death or injury in their songs or on social media and ordered them to inform police before they record or perform songs. In 2019 cyber criminals broke into the Metropolitan Police Twitter account and posted tweets calling for the release of Digga D from jail. In a now-deleted tweet the hackers wrote: 'FREE DIGGA D ON FOENEM GANG.' The account, which is normally only used to update the public on ongoing policing matters, had posted tweets that said: ''F*** the police' and 'What you gonna do ... phone the police?' In one video viewed nearly three million times, on YouTube Digga D boasted about having to bleach his knife after using it to attack someone. His songs are also explicit about sex as well as gang rivalries in London.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Yahoo
Digga D jailed for supplying cannabis
A leading UK drill star has been jailed for three years and 11 months for supplying 99lbs (45kg) of cannabis. Digga D, whose name is Rhys Herbert, was arrested at his property near Lincoln in the early hours of 21 February while broadcasting on Instagram Live. Herbert, of Lonsdale Road in Notting Hill, London, pleaded guilty in May to two charges relating to the importation and supply of cannabis. However, the 24-year-old denied being involved in commercial sale of up to 132lbs (60kg) of the Class B drug at Lincoln Crown Court but the basis of his pleas were not accepted. During a two-day trial of the issue, known as a Newton Hearing, in December, Judge Simon Hirst decided on the level of Herbert's drug dealing. Passing sentence Judge Hirst said he was "satisfied" Herbert had played a significant role in supplying cannabis and had sold at least 99lbs (45kg) for a commercial profit. The judge told Herbert: "It is agreed you had a significant role on the basis you expected significant financial advantage. On occasions others were involved in the operation of returning and collecting cannabis. "The level of the offending is so serious that there must be a sentence of imprisonment." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Rapper took up cannabis at 12, court hears Court hears Digga D supplied cannabis to entourage Date set for Digga D cannabis supply hearing HM Courts & Tribunals Service Metropolitan Police
