Latest news with #HackneyTurks
Daily Mail
16 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Robber admits picking up gunman moments after girl, nine, was shot in the head at Turkish restaurant in drive-by shooting
A robber has admitted picking up a gunman moments after a nine-year-old girl was shot in the head at a Turkish restaurant in a drive-by shooting. The victim had been sitting inside Evin restaurant in Hackney, east London, with family members at 9.19pm on May 29 last year when she was hit by a stray bullet as the gunman on a stolen Ducati Monster motorbike fired six shots at three men. She survived but will suffer 'physical and cognitive difficulties throughout her life' after the bullet lodged in her brain. The prosecution has alleged the shooting was a 'planned assassination' amid an ongoing clash between rival gangs, the Tottenham Turks and the Hackney Turks, also known as the 'Bombacilars'. It is claimed the men at the restaurant - Mustafa Kiziltan, Kenan Aydogdu and Nasser Ali - were affiliated with the Hackney Turks and the ones who had allegedly ordered the shooting were from the Tottenham Turks. Career criminal and suspected getaway driver Javon Riley, 33, is on trial charged with three counts of attempted murder, which he denies. Riley, from Tottenham, north London, who previously replied 'no comment' to all questions in police interviews, also denies causing grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to the nine-year-old girl. He is said to have carried out extensive reconnaissance ahead of the hit and may have been involved in the acquisition and disposal of the weapon used by the gunman as well as being suspected of acting as the getaway driver for the gunman, who has never been traced. Giving evidence in court today, Riley accepted that the CCTV images of him shown to the jury were in fact him. Wearing a white shirt and grey trousers with a short beard, Riley said he accepted driving a Range Rover, Mitsubishi and Nissan Juke and admitted driving the gunman away after he shot at the restaurant. Defence barrister Tyrone Smith, KC, asked: 'At the time when the gunman got into the car did you know he had shot those people in the restaurant?' 'No,' Riley replied. Mr Smith then asked if he was 'part of a plan or agreement that a shooting should take place that night', to which he again replied: 'No'. Riley said he was born in Jamaica and moved to the UK with his family when he was eight and grew up in Walthamstow, east London. He said he moved to Palmers Green near Tottenham and then later to Enfield. Riley has two children with a long term on and off partner and another child with another woman. He has worked as an electrician's assistant and on road maintenance but said his main work has been criminality. He has 14 convictions between 2008 and 2018 including battery, affray, possession of cocaine, possession of cannabis and possession of an offensive weapon. But he said he has committed many other crimes for which he has not been caught including robberies, stealing cars and selling drugs. Riley said he first got involved in stealing cars when 15 and originally did it for fun to drive them around before beginning to steal them to order. He said he now steals cars to ship them abroad. Riley said he robs drug dealers and fraudsters as they will not go to the police. He said he would be 'very strategic' when robbing someone and look out for cameras as his life would be in danger if a drug dealer found out who he was. Riley said he would steal cannabis that other people were growing, buy drugs with fake cash and snatch drugs from people. He said he sometimes carries knives but never carries a firearm because of the hefty prison sentences attached. Riley said by May last year he was committing between two and five robberies a month and he was aware of the Tottenham Turks and the Hackney Turks. He said: 'They'd had a tit for tat for years- robbery, killings, shootings, all sorts of stuff. 'You can't grow up in Tottenham without knowing this stuff.' But he claimed to have involvement in either group. Riley explained he was contacted on May 4 last year about being involved in a 'robbery' in Hackney. He said: 'I was contacted by a third party, a friend of a friend introduced us through a robbery we had previously done before. 'I was asked do I want to give him a hand with a robbery he'd got planned. He told me it's nothing hard, something simple, a snatch and grab. 'A few guys had come across around 50 or 60kg of drugs distributed from a restaurant in Hackney. 'He asked me to be the driver. He told me there's a bike team of two guys.' Riley refused to name the man who phoned him, adding: 'I can't give his name. I fear for my life, and not just mine my family's as well. There's no guarantee of my safety or my family's.' He said he was told there would not be any weapons and he would receive around a quarter of the profit which would be between £30,000 and £40,000. He said he visited the area on May 6 to see if the robbery could be done and sat in the restaurant opposite. When asked why he ordered three pina coladas, he said he was with one of the women he was seeing. He said they had arranged to meet before and it was 'killing two birds with one stone'. Riley said the plan was for the robbers to put the money and drugs into his car and then he would drive off. He said he had never met the gunman until he got into his car after the shooting. Riley claimed he was told the robbery would take place on May 20 because there was going to be a drug deal going on that day. He said he was given a photo of Mustafa Kiziltan and told he was the target. Riley said before this he had been given a phone number for two men in the 'bike team'. He said he was not given their names but he called them on the way to Hackney. 'Did you not want to check out with them they were capable and knew what they were doing?' Mr Smith said. Riley replied: 'No, if someone's putting me on a robbery they're not putting me with idiots, I don't need to ask them "do you know your stuff?".' He said on May 20 he saw the person he had been given a photo of was not present at the restaurant but did see a group of 'Turkish or Albanian looking guys'. Reading agreed facts to the jury, prosecutor Abigail Husbands said that the nine-year-old had sustained a gunshot wound to her brain. She said: 'On May 30, 2024, she was admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital. On June 14, 2024, she was transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital. 'She was then referred for multidisciplinary neurorehabilitation input. 'Her main difficulties were significant left side hemiplegia, a visual field defect, cognitive impairment, including impulsivity and reduced concentration and fatigue with concentration and physical activities. 'She was discharged home from Birmingham Children's Hospital on August 30, 2024. 'She was subsequently admitted to the Children's Trust from September 16, 2024, to December 8, 2024, where she underwent inpatient intensive neurorehabilitation. 'On May 28, 2025, a consultant paediatric neurologist prepared a report in respect of his opinion as to her progress since her injury. 'She had made some good improvements both physically and cognitively since she presented with her severe brain injury from the gunshot. 'However she continued to have significant weakness to one side of the body and some cognitive difficulties. She also fatigued easily with concentration and physical activity. 'The professor was of the opinion that she will continue to have physical difficulties, cognitive difficulties and increased fatigue throughout her life.' Ms Husbands said the words 'tell our lot to come' were spoken in Turkish in the aftermath of the shooting. Ms Husbands said that material held by police suggests the three men shot were affiliated to the Hackney Turks. She said that Beytullah Gunduz, who was also in the restaurant, was also affiliated. She said: 'Both the Tottenham Turks and Hackney Turks are organised crime groups involved in the dealing of drugs. 'In late 2019, Kemal Eren offered drugs and large sums of money as payment to Leon Smith, a former Tottenham Mandem gang member, to cause serious harm or murder Beytullah Gundez and others. 'Kemal Eren provided detailed information on the intended targets to Leon Smith, who agreed to act as the organiser. 'Having been recruited, he set about attempting to recruit others to complete the job on his behalf. 'They conducted reconnaissance on the intended victims, sourced firearms and a stolen vehicle. 'Leon Smith was convicted of conspiracy to commit GBH with intent and firearms offences. 'Kemal Eren is wanted in relation to this investigation.'
Daily Mirror
23-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Hackney shooting: 'Gang member ordered pina coladas while scoping out restaurant'
The alleged assassination plot in Dalston, east London, led to a nine-year-old girl being shot in the head while she dined at a restaurant with her family A suspected gang member ordered three pina coladas while scoping out a "planned assassination" at a Turkish restaurant, a court heard. A nine-year-old girl who was dining with her family was shot in the head by a stray bullet aimed at three men outside the building. She survived, but jurors heard how she now faces "physical and cognitive difficulties throughout her life" after the bullet became lodged in her brain. The gunman fled on a Ducati Monster motorbike and has not yet been identified, but 33-year-old Javon Riley stands accused of four counts of attempted murder linked to the attack in Dalston, Hackney on May 29 last year. 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. Prosecutors claim Riley carried out surveillance ahead of the hit, played a role in handling the weapon and acted as the escape driver. Prosecutor James Mulholland, KC, described the shooting as a "planned assassination" in a long running rivalry between two gangs; the Tottenham Turks and the Hackney Turks. Giving evidence at the Old Bailey, DC Martha Bourne told the jury Riley was using five different phones, including one "clean" phone to contact his family. He lived with his partner at an address in Tottenham but also rented a flat in Farnborough, Hampshire. The Ducati used in the shooting was stolen in November 2021 from Wentworth Hill, Wembley, and later fitted with a false number plate, jurors were told. DC Bourne described it as a "loud, powerful" motorbike. Jurors were also shown images of a burnt out Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan Juke found after the shooting. The two cars were reported stolen on May 17, 2024, and were also fitted with false plates. CCTV footage captured the stolen bike moving through Hackney on May 2, the court heard. Four days later, Riley is alleged to have carried out reconnaissance on Evin restaurant in a Range Rover, driving past on four separate occasions, the court heard. DC Bourne said Riley's account was used at a shop opposite the restaurant on that date. She said he also went to German Kraft Beer opposite the restaurant and purchased a hot chocolate with coconut milk, three pina coladas, a Bacardi and an apple juice for £46.85. His table was at the front window of the bar giving a view of Evin restaurant. Riley, of Green Street, Enfield, denies four counts of attempted murder and an alternative charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent relating to the girl. The trial continues.
Daily Mail
23-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Dalston drive-by shooting 'ringleader' bought pina coladas while carrying out reconnaissance for 'planned assassination of rival gang member', court hears
An alleged gang member ordered three pina coladas while he carried out reconnaissance for a 'planned assassination' at a restaurant, a court heard today. A nine-year-old girl was shot in the head outside the Turkish restaurant Evin in Dalston, East London, by a stray bullet aimed at three men. The child, who cannot be named, survived but will suffer 'physical and cognitive difficulties throughout her life' after one of the bullets lodged in her brain. She was eating with her family at the restaurant when a gunman riding a Ducati Monster motorbike opened fire, the Old Bailey heard. The gunman has not been caught, but 33-year-old Javon Riley is on trial charged with four charges of attempted murder on May 29 last year. Riley is said to have carried out extensive reconnaissance ahead of the hit, may have been involved in finding and disposing of the weapon used by the gunman and acted as a getaway driver, it is claimed. Mustafa Kiziltan, Kenan Aydogdu and Nasser Ali were seated in the restaurant when six shots were fired at them. Prosecutor James Mulholland KC described the shooting as a 'planned assassination' in a long running rivalry between the Tottenham Turks and the Hackney Turks. DC Martha Bourne today told the jury that Riley used five different phones, including one 'clean' phone to contact his family. He lived with his partner at an address in Tottenham but also rented a flat in Farnborough, Hampshire. The motorcycle used by the gunman was reported stolen on 16 November 2021 from Wentworth Hill in Wembley and later fitted with a false numberplate. DC Bourne said it was a 'loud, powerful' motorbike. Jurors were shown images of a burnt-out Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan Juke found after the shooting. The two cars were reported stolen on May 17, 2024 and were also fitted with false plates. The stolen bike was seen on CCTV moving through Hackney on May 2, 2024, the court heard. Riley is alleged to have carried out reconnaissance on Evin restaurant in a Range Rover on May 6, 2024, driving past on four separate occasions. DC Bourne said Riley's account was used at a shop opposite the restaurant on that date. She said he also went to German Kraft Beer opposite the restaurant and purchased a hot chocolate with coconut milk, three pina coladas, a Barcardi and an apple juice for £46.85. His table was at the front window of the bar, giving a view of Evin restaurant. Riley, of Green Street, Enfield, denies four counts of attempted murder and an alternative charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent relating to the girl. The trial continues.
The Guardian
22-07-2025
- The Guardian
Girl, 9, shot amid ‘planned assassination' at east London restaurant, court hears
A nine-year-girl was shot in the head while eating inside a Turkish restaurant with her family when a gunman on a motorbike opened fire during 'a planned assassination' of rival gang members, a court has heard. The girl, who cannot be named, will suffer 'physical and cognitive difficulties throughout her life' after a bullet lodged in her brain, the Old Bailey heard. A stray bullet 'tragically struck' the girl when the gunman on a Ducati Monster fired six shots in two seconds at a group sitting on a table outside Evin restaurant in Dalston, east London, on the evening of 29 May 2024. The gunman has not been apprehended. Javon Riley, 33, is on trial at the Old Bailey, where he has pleaded not guilty to four charges of attempted murder and an alternative charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent against the girl, who cannot be named because of her age. The prosecutor, James Mulholland KC, said the shooting was 'a planned assassination of members of a rival gang by Mr Riley and others'. In his opening note, he said: 'The shooting appears 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, which translates to the Bombers, although the immediate reason for it was unknown. '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.' Three men – Mustafa Kiziltan, Kenan Aydogdu and Nasser Ali – were shot in various parts of their bodies while sitting with others on a pavement table outside the busy restaurant. Those seated outside Evin had affiliations towards the Hackney Turks and the ones who ordered the shooting were from the Tottenham Turks, the prosecutor said. 'Some of the bullets missed the men. One of these tragically struck a nine-year-old girl in the head and lodged in her brain. She had been sitting at a table inside the restaurant with other members of her family,' he added. The men have made 'reasonable' recoveries but the impact upon the girl has been 'far greater', Mulholland said. 'The first of several intensive operations upon her took place at Great Ormond Street hospital the day after the shooting to seek to address the damage caused by the bullet. Sections of her skull were removed to relieve swelling to the brain and these have since been replaced with a titanium plate,' he said. 'She was in hospital for three months before being allowed to return home. Although she has made a relatively good recovery, she will continue to have physical and cognitive difficulties throughout her life.' The prosecutor said examination of CCTV footage at the restaurant shows that the first of the six shots struck the girl on the right side of her head, causing her to fall to the floor. The prosecutor said Riley was 'vital in the carrying out of the plan to kill' and played a 'key role' before, during and after the shooting. Riley allegedly carried out extensive reconnaissance, transported the gunman from the scene and was involved in the disposal of the firearm which he may also have provided. The weapon was never found. Riley was the subject of police surveillance after the shooting and covert recordings allegedly show he had access to a firearm and was 'intimately aware' of what happened on 29 May 2024. During a conversation on 3 August 2024, Riley said 'his man had 'missed', and that the result had been the shooting of a young girl', Mulholland said. The prosecutor said Riley also had discussions referring to a man called Izzet Eren, who was linked to the Tottenham Turks and was shot in Moldova on 10 July 2024 in what was believed to be a revenge attack. 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.' The court heard that after the shooting, the gunman rode the motorbike to a nearby street where Riley was waiting in a stolen Nissan Juke displaying false plates. They then 'calmly' headed to north London before transferring into Riley's Range Rover. Riley, who denies all charges, was arrested last August. The trial continues.
Times
22-07-2025
- Times
Girl, nine, shot in head ‘during Turkish gang war'
A battle between Turkish gangs in London led to a nine-year-old girl being shot in the brain, the Old Bailey has heard. Attempted 'assassinations' during a long-running feud left three men seriously injured, the court was told. A gunman on a Ducati Monster motorcycle fired six shots, hitting Kenan Aydogdu, 45, Mustafa Kiziltan, 38, and Nasser Ali, 43, as they sat outside the Evin restaurant in Dalston, east London, in May last year. The men are associated with the Hackney Turks, also known as the Bombacilar (Bombers), the court heard. The nine-year-old, who cannot be named, was dining in the restaurant with her family when she was hit in the head by a stray bullet. Sections of her skull had to be removed and replaced with a titanium plate, and she will have physical and cognitive difficulties throughout her life.
