Latest news with #Leyton
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Moment rapper threatens murder victim on YouTube - before knifing him in the neck in front of his horrified son
This is the horrifying moment a rapper threatened his murder victim on YouTube before brutally knifing him in front of his young son. Renai Belle, 30, boasted of his 'gangster lifestyle' before stabbing father-of-two Josh McKay, 33 to death in a barbers on July 6, 2024. Belle, who posted online under his nickname Topz had written a rap song the previous year threatening to attack Mr McKay. In his video posted to YouTube, he rapped: 'How many times I put my flicky in man's head?' and 'I pray every day that I buck JMK,' referring to Josh McKay. Police tried to save Mr McKay but were unsuccessful and Belle was convicted of murder. A year prior to the fatal stabbing, Belle posted a song on YoutTube where he directly threatened Mr McKay. In the song, Belle bragged about his gangster lifestyle and his intention to hurt the father-of-two. In the three-minute song, the rap included the lines: 'How many times I put my flicky in man's head?' which Louis Mably, KC, prosecuting told the Old Bailey is a reference to stabbing someone in the head with a flick knife. Belle crept into Hollywood Cuts in Leyton wearing a balaclava before stabbing Mr McKay (pictured) in the neck while he and his barber discussed holiday plans Another line stated: 'I pray every day that I buck JMK.' Mr Mably explained: 'This is a reference to meeting JMK, and the inference is this is Josh McKay,' the prosecutor said. The rap continued: 'That's a good day, not for him though, jakes (police) couldn't catch me...' A year later, Belle carried out his intention and attacked Mr McKay in a barber shop in East London. He crept into Hollywood Cuts in Leyton wearing a balaclava before stabbing Mr McKay in the neck while he and his barber discussed holiday plans. The violent attacker was helped by his teaching assistant girlfriend Tenika Parker, 39, and 22-year-old Daniel Cooper, the Old Bailey heard. Following the gruesome stabbing police descended on the barbershop and tried to save the father-of-two using a scarf to stem the bleeding from the wound but he was unresponsive. The officers began CPR and carried on trying to revive the man until paramedics arrived but there was no pulse. Barber Wray Esson, who was cutting Mr McKay's hair said the pair were 'talking about holiday plans, when all of a sudden he saw a man wearing a balaclava creeping through the door,' (Belle pictured walking to the barbershop in a balaclava) After the fatal stabbing, Mr McKay grabbed the blade and 'went for the attacker' chasing him out of the shop and CCTV caught the moment Belle fled the scene (pictured) Specialist medics including a doctor even performed an emergency operation on the side of the road, but nothing could be done to revive Mr McKay and he was pronounced dead at 3.53pm. Mr Mably said: 'The colour had drained from his face, his eyes were wide open, and he was not breathing.' The prosecutor told the court it appeared Belle 'had an existing, violent hostility towards Mr McKay.' There were no cameras inside the shop but CCTV footage outside showed Mr McKay and his son arriving in their car 30 minutes before the attack. 'Footage also showed that at that time, Mr Belle was also in the very same area. He was in a car, and then on foot, in the same area of Lea Bridge Road, at the same time, going right past the barber's,' the prosecutor said. The attack was carried out 25 minutes later. 'What happened in those 25 minutes? Because he didn't go straight in,' the prosecutor said. 'What happened is that straightaway, and very quickly, he saw the opportunity, and made preparations for the attack to make sure he could carry it out before Mr McKay had finished having his hair cut. 'What he did was to go off and get the knife, and the balaclava, before coming back and creeping into the shop.' Barber Wray Esson, who was cutting Mr McKay's hair said the pair were 'talking about holiday plans, when all of a sudden he saw a man wearing a balaclava creeping through the door,' said Mr Mably. 'He thought it was a joke at first, but then saw the man had a large kitchen knife in his hand. 'The man approached Mr McKay, and just as Mr McKay swivelled round on the chair to see what was going on, the man plunged the knife into his neck, and then pulled the knife out. 'Mr McKay stood up. The man went to stab him again but Mr McKay put his arms up to defend himself. 'There was a scuffle and the knife fell to the ground.' Mr McKay grabbed the blade and 'went for the attacker' chasing him out of the shop. Passer-by Debbie Osu saw a man wearing dark clothes with a hood up 'creeping towards the shop' carrying something close to his leg. Moments later Mr McKay came out holding the knife after disarming the attacker, the court heard. Ms Osu heard Mr McKay say: 'I can't believe he caught me.' The prosecutor said the witness saw Mr McKay's distraught son outside saying 'that's my dad.' Parker and Cooper helped Belle carry out the attack, it was said. 'Tanika Parker was obviously a close friend and associate of Mr Belle - it seems they were in fact in a relationship,' the prosecutor said. Parker drove Belle drove to Lea Bridge Road in her SsangYong Turismo, the court heard. The prosecutor said telephone records show Belle had been in touch with Cooper that day asking him 'to provide him with the knife and balaclava'. CCTV footage showed that Belle and Parker attended Cooper's address to collects balaclava and knife, the court heard. Parker was arrested on the night of 7 July while Belle was arrested the next day. He made no comment in police interviews. Parker gave a written statement, in which he said she was in a relationship with Belle, but denied knowing that he was going to carry out an attack. Parker was initially arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and Cooper was arrested after handing himself in to police She was stopped by police while driving the car that had been identified as involved in the murder and after a search of the vehicle, officers found distinct black sliders Belle was seen wearing in CCTV footage, as well as traces of blood that officers sent for forensic testing. Parker was rearrested on Wednesday, 2 October, and charged with perverting the course of justice after CCTV footage showed her attempting to clean her car after the attack to remove any evidence. Belle, of Edmonton, denied but was convicted of murder. Parker and Cooper, both of Walthamstow, denied murder and were cleared by the jury. Parker was cleared of murder by the jury along with Cooper. Cooper had admitted possessing a bladed article, while Parker denied but was convicted of that offence. Parker denied but was unanimously convicted of perverting the course of justice by cleaning her SsangYong Turismo SUV after the attack. Belle and Parker will return for sentence at the Old Bailey on 30 July. Cooper will be sentenced separately on Friday. Detective Inspector Chris Griffith, from Specialist Crime North, who led the investigation, said: 'This was a savage and pre-planned attack, committed in broad daylight and with scant regard for passers-by. What took place left the local community reeling, and two young children without their father. 'My heart goes out to Josh's family and friends. He was a loving parent, whose life was ended in the most horrendous way. 'I hope that today's result provides Josh's family with some closure, and allows the community to feel safer knowing that Belle is no longer free to commit such heinous crimes.'
Sky News
6 days ago
- Business
- Sky News
Russian mercenary group ordered arson attack on London warehouse linked to Ukraine, Old Bailey hears
Arsonists set fire to a London warehouse linked to Ukraine after one of the men who orchestrated the attack was recruited by a Russian mercenary group, a court has heard. Around £1m of damage was caused by the blaze at an industrial unit in Leyton that was supplying StarLink satellite equipment to Ukraine, the Old Bailey was told. The attack on 20 March last year was orchestrated by 20-year-old Dylan Earl - who was recruited by the Wagner Group - and Jake Reeves, 23, jurors heard. Reeves, of Croydon, has pleaded guilty to agreeing to accept a material benefit from a foreign intelligence service under the National Security Act 2023. Earl, of Elmesthorpe, Leicestershire, has pleaded guilty to aggravated arson and preparatory conduct under the National Security Act 2023. The court was told the pair had gone on to plot more arson attacks on a restaurant and wine shop in Mayfair and the kidnap of their multi-millionaire owner, who was a Russian dissident. Six men have gone on trial in the case - which is the first concerning allegations under the UK's new counter-espionage laws. Two units in the Cromwell Industrial Estate were set on fire - and it took eight fire engines and 60 firefighters to put out the blaze, the court heard. The arsonists livestreamed as they set fire to the business, jurors were told. The six men on trial are charged with a range of offences including aggravated arson and failure to disclose information about terrorist acts. They have all pleaded not guilty. Duncan Penny KC, prosecuting, told the jury that Earl was "knowingly acting at the behest of the Wagner Group" - a private military contractor linked to Russia which was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in September 2023 - and "commissioned the arson attack on the warehouses". Explaining how Earl was recruited, the prosecutor said he contacted the Wagner Group "when he joined a broadcast channel in its name on the social media application Telegram". "From there, he became connected to two handles, 'Privet Bot' aka 'Lucky Strike', who acted on behalf of the Wagner Group," Mr Penny told the court. "It appears that Earl expressed a willingness to undertake 'missions' of which the Leyton arson attack was the first. It is apparent that Earl knew he was acting against Ukrainian, and for Russian, interests." Mr Penny told the court that the warehouse units in Cromwell Industrial Estate appeared to have been selected as targets over their connection to Kyiv. Specifically, the jury heard that the business conducted there was concerned with logistics, frequently delivering goods to Ukraine, including StarLink satellite equipment. "The businesses which operated from there were also involved in organising humanitarian aid efforts to support Ukraine," the prosecutor added. Mr Penny said an expert witness will tell the court that after an aborted coup against the Russian government in June 2023, the Wagner Group and its activities - which include sabotage - have been under the direct command of the Russian government. Defendants Ashton Evans, 20, from Newport, Gwent, and Dmitrijus Paulauskas, 22, from Croydon, deny failure to disclose information about terrorist acts. Fellow defendants Paul English, 61, of Roehampton, Nii Kojo Mensah, 23, of Thornton Heath, and Jakeem Barrington Rose, 23, of Croydon, and Ugnius Asmena, 20, of no fixed address, all deny aggravated arson.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Men 'livestreamed' Russia-linked arson plot, court hears
Arsonists were "livestreamed" as they set fire to a business supplying Starlink satellite equipment to Ukraine after being recruited by agents for the Russian mercenary group Wagner, a court has £1m of damage was caused by the blaze at a warehouse in Leyton, east London, on 20 March last year, the Old Bailey was attack was orchestrated by Dylan Earl, 20, and Jake Reeves, 23, who have admitted aggravated arson on behalf of the Wagner Group and an offence under the National Security Act, jurors Rose, 23, Ugnius Asmena, 20, Nii Mensah, 23, and Paul English, 61, were allegedly recruited to set fire to the warehouse. Opening the trial on Wednesday, Duncan Penny KC, for the prosecution, said the evidence against them was "overwhelming".He said that CCTV, traffic cameras and phone evidence tracked their journey in Mr English's Kia Picanto through south London to the scene of the footage captured Mr Rose and Mr Mensah getting out of the vehicle, climbing over a wall and approaching the warehouses, jurors filled a jerry can en route at a petrol station, Rose poured the contents onto warehouse unit doors and set them alight, it was Mr Mensah filmed the arson attack on his mobile phone and "livestreamed it on FaceTime", jurors were were told that a lorry driver parked nearby was bedding down for the night at the bravely but unsuccessfully tried to put out the fire, putting himself in significant danger, Mr Penny fire crews tackled the "significant" fire on the Cromwell Industrial Estate after it broke out shortly before caused "extensive damage" to the property and risked the lives of those nearby, he Penny told jurors: "This was deliberate and calculated criminality - at the behest of foreign influence."In the case of these defendants at the time of the fire they may have been ignorant of that influence and the motive may have been financial - good old-fashioned greed."For others, however, it appears to have been both political and ideological."Mr Penny said the warehouse was targeted for its connection to Ukraine and the fact that the business there was involved in firm frequently delivered goods to Ukraine, including Starlink satellite equipment and was involved in organising humanitarian aid, the court was was said to be the "architect" of the warehouse Reeves discovered the motivation behind it, he was prepared to agree to accept money from a foreign intelligence service to target an individual and businesses in the capital, the jury was of Elmesthorpe, Leicestershire, and Reeves, of Croydon, have admitted plots to set fire to the Hide Restaurant and Hedonism Wines in Mayfair, west London, and kidnapping their owner on behalf of the Wagner Group, the court Penny said: "You might think that it is self-evident that these actions were designed to influence the government and to intimidate at least a section of the public and furthermore were made for the purpose of advancing a political and ideological cause."It is also relevant that at least one method of attack on the Mayfair premises discussed between Earl and Evans was by way of explosion."Mr Rose, of Croydon, Mr Asmena, of no fixed address, Mr Mensah, of Thornton Heath and Mr English, of Roehampton, have denied aggravated other defendants, Ashton Evans, 20, from Newport, Gwent, and Dmirjus Paulauskas, 23, from Croydon, are each charged with two counts of failing to disclose information about terrorist acts, which they trial continues.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Arsonists streamed Ukraine-linked warehouse attack for Wagner Group, court told
Arsonists were livestreamed as they set fire to a business supplying StarLink satellite equipment to Ukraine after being recruited by agents for the terrorist Wagner Group, a court has heard. Around £1 million of damage was caused by the blaze at an industrial unit in Leyton, east London, last March 20, the Old Bailey was told. The attack was orchestrated by Dylan Earl, 20, and Jake Reeves, 23, who have admitted aggravated arson on behalf of the Wagner Group and an offence under the National Security Act, jurors heard. Jakeem Rose, 23, Ugnius Asmena, 20, Nii Mensah, 23 and Paul English, 61, were allegedly recruited to set fire to the warehouse. Opening their trial on Wednesday, Duncan Penny KC said the evidence against them was 'overwhelming'. He said that CCTV, traffic cameras and phone evidence tracked their journey in English's Kia Picanto through south London to the scene of the fire. More footage captured Rose and Mensah getting out of the vehicle, climbing over a wall and approaching the warehouses, jurors heard. Having filled a jerry can en route at a petrol station, Rose poured the contents onto warehouse unit doors and set them alight, it was alleged. Meanwhile, Mensah filmed the arson attack on his mobile phone and livestreamed it on FaceTime, jurors were told. Jurors were told that a lorry driver parked nearby was bedding down for the night at the time. He bravely but unsuccessfully tried to put out the fire, putting himself in significant danger, Mr Penny said. Rose dropped a very large knife with his DNA on it, with Mensah later messaging Reeves to say 'L9 (Rose's nickname) left his Rambo at the scene', the court heard. Eight fire crews tackled the 'significant' fire on the Cromwell Industrial Estate after it broke out shortly before midnight. It caused 'extensive damage' to the property and risked the lives of those nearby, he said. About 20 minutes after the attack, Mensah allegedly messaged Earl: 'Bro there was bare smoke … You saw it on Face Time.' A few hours later, he allegedly added: 'Bro lol it's on the news … we dun damagees (sic).' Mr Penny told jurors: 'This was deliberate and calculated criminality – at the behest of foreign influence. 'In the case of these defendants at the time of the fire they may have been ignorant of that influence and the motive may have been financial – good old-fashioned greed. 'For others, however, it appears to have been both political and ideological.' The prosecutor said the warehouse was targeted for its connection to Ukraine and the fact that the business there was concerned in logistics. The firm frequently delivered goods to Ukraine, including StarLink satellite equipment, and was involved in organising humanitarian aid, the court was told. Earl was said to be the 'architect' of the warehouse attack. He had come into contact with the Wagner Group via a channel on Telegram, the court was told. Mr Penny said: 'It appears that Dylan Earl expressed a willingness to undertake 'missions' of which the Leyton arson attack was the first. 'It is apparent that Dylan Earl knew he was acting against Ukrainian, and for Russian, interests.' Once Reeves discovered the motivation behind it, he was prepared to agree to accept money from a foreign intelligence service to target an individual and businesses in the capital, the jury was told. Earl, of Elmesthorpe, Leicestershire, and Reeves, of Croydon, have admitted plots to set fire to the Hide Restaurant and Hedonism Wines in Mayfair, west London, and kidnapping their owner on behalf of the Wagner Group, the court heard. Mr Penny said: 'You might think that it is self-evident that these actions were designed to influence the government and to intimidate at least a section of the public and furthermore were made for the purpose of advancing a political and ideological cause. 'It is also relevant that at least one method of attack on the Mayfair premises discussed between Earl and Evans was by way of explosion.' Rose, of Croydon, Asmena, of no fixed address, Mensah, of Thornton Heath and English, of Roehampton, have denied aggravated arson. Two other defendants, Ashton Evans, 20, from Newport, Gwent, and Dmirjus Paulauskas, 23, from Croydon, are each charged with two counts of failing to disclose information about terrorist acts, which they deny. The Old Bailey trial continues.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Arsonists streamed attack on London StarLink warehouse for Wagner Group, court told
Arsonists were livestreamed as they set fire to a business supplying StarLink satellite equipment to Ukraine after being recruited by agents for the terrorist Wagner Group, a court has heard. Around £1 million of damage was caused by the blaze at an industrial unit in Leyton, east London, last March 20, the Old Bailey was told. The attack was orchestrated by Dylan Earl, 20 and Jake Reeves, 23, who have admitted aggravated arson on behalf of the Wagner Group and an offence under the National Security Act, jurors heard. Jakeem Rose, 23, Ugnius Asmena, 20, Nii Mensah, 23 and Paul English, 61, were allegedly recruited to set fire to the warehouse. Opening their trial on Wednesday, Duncan Penny KC said the evidence against them was 'overwhelming'. He said that CCTV, traffic cameras and phone evidence tracked their journey in English's Kia Picanto through south London to the scene of the fire. More footage captured Rose and Mensah getting out of the vehicle, climbing over a wall and approaching the warehouses, jurors heard. Having filled a jerry can en route at a petrol station, Rose poured the contents onto warehouse unit doors and set them alight, it was alleged. Meanwhile, Mensah filmed the arson attack on his mobile phone and livestreamed it on FaceTime, jurors were told. Eight fire crews tackled the 'significant' fire on the Cromwell Industrial Estate after it broke out shortly before midnight. It caused 'extensive damage' to the property and risked the lives of those nearby, he said. Mr Penny told jurors: 'This was deliberate and calculated criminality – at the behest of foreign influence. 'In the case of these defendants at the time of the fire they may have been ignorant of that influence and the motive may have been financial – good old-fashioned greed. 'For others, however, it appears to have been both political and ideological.' The prosecutor said the warehouse was targeted for its connection to Ukraine and the fact that the business there was concerned in logistics. The firm frequently delivered goods to Ukraine, including StarLink satellite equipment, and was involved in organising humanitarian aid, the court was told. Earl was said to be the 'architect' of the warehouse attack. He had come into contact with the Wagner Group via a channel on Telegram, the court was told. Mr Penny said: 'It appears that Dylan Earl expressed a willingness to undertake 'missions' of which the Leyton arson attack was the first. 'It is apparent that Dylan Earl knew he was acting against Ukrainian, and for Russian, interests.' Once Reeves discovered the motivation behind it, he was prepared to agree to accept money from a foreign intelligence service to target an individual and businesses in the capital, the jury was told. Earl, of Elmesthorpe, Leicestershire, and Reeves, of Croydon, have admitted plots to set fire to the Hide Restaurant and Hedonism Wines in Mayfair, west London, and kidnapping their owner on behalf of the Wagner Group, the court heard. Mr Penny said: 'You might think that it is self-evident that these actions were designed to influence the government and to intimidate at least a section of the public and furthermore were made for the purpose of advancing a political and ideological cause. 'It is also relevant that at least one method of attack on the Mayfair premises discussed between Earl and Evans was by way of explosion.' Rose, of Croydon, Asmena, of no fixed address, Mensah, of Thornton Heath and English, of Roehampton, have denied aggravated arson. Two other defendants, Ashton Evans, 20, from Newport, Gwent, and Dmirjus Paulauskas, 23, from Croydon, are each charged with two counts of failing to disclose information about terrorist acts, which they deny. The Old Bailey trial continues.
