Latest news with #wake
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Murder accused shot cousin and injured brother after wake row, court told
A man has appeared in court accused of shooting to death his cousin and injuring his brother following a row at a wake. Jahmel Joseph, 28, allegedly shot Jordan Rodney, 30, in the eye and also blasted his brother Omar Joseph in the head and hand after an earlier falling out at a family gathering for a younger relative in Hammersmith, west London, on June 11. The victims had been standing outside the address when an attacker armed with a sawn-off shotgun arrived on a motorbike, the Old Bailey was told. At 11.17pm, the gunman opened fire on the two men at 'point-blank range', the court was told. Omar Joseph, who is in his 30s, moved his head as he was shot, narrowly avoiding more serious harm, prosecutor Fiona Robertson said. Mr Rodney was taken to hospital where he died the next day. Hours after the shooting, a red Mercedes car linked to the defendant activated a traffic camera and police officers tried to detain him, the court was told. A high-speed chase followed in which the defendant collided with pedestrians and cyclists before crashing, it is claimed. The defendant, carrying a black bag, is alleged to had fled on foot through neighbouring gardens but was eventually arrested in Tolson Road in Isleworth, Hounslow, at 8.23am on June 12. Residents pointed police towards a discarded bag which contained the alleged murder weapon, a double-barrelled shotgun which had been shortened at both ends. Joseph, of Eaton Rise, Ealing, west London, was charged with murder, attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of a prohibited weapon and dangerous driving. He appeared at the Old Bailey on Tuesday for a preliminary hearing before Judge Judy Khan KC. The judge set a plea hearing on September 2 and a provisional three-week trial from October 20 before remanding Joseph into custody. Members of the victims' family sat in court for the short hearing during which the defendant spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth. In an earlier statement, Mr Rodney's family said: 'It is with unimaginable heartbreak that we confirm the tragic loss of our beloved Jordan Olivier Rodney, who was taken from us far too soon. 'Jordan was a man who touched the lives of everyone who knew him. He was warm, funny, and loving. Always quick with a smile or a joke that could brighten the dark day. 'His kindness, generosity, and humour left a lasting impression on friends and family alike. Our son, brother, uncle, and friend was so much more than the circumstances of his death. He brought joy to our lives every single day, and his absence leaves a hole that can never be filled.'
BBC News
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Luton man says he hosted his own wake to celebrate life
A man diagnosed with terminal cancer has attended his own wake as he said he wanted to "celebrate my life"."I'm 'Party Pat'. And I decided, I'm going to be at the party," said Pat Mahoney, who is 74 and from Luton, Bedfordshire."I invited all the people from all the groups that I attend, and I'm going to be on that floor bopping around," he told the also recorded a performance of Elvis Presley's The Wonder of You with his dementia choir at the Marshall Studio in Milton Keynes, which was played at the wake. Friends and family packed out Hope Church in Luton to spend time celebrating Boyd, who helps to run the singing dementia cafe, said: "It's a real honour but it's tinged with sadness."Pat has been a fantastic friend to our dementia cafe for those 10 years."We can hopefully celebrate his life because he's had a wonderful life. He's been Mr Party Pat."Another friend said: "I don't think anyone could be upset, the way you're doing this tonight. It's absolutely brilliant."You mean the world to us, you've always been there." Pat said it had been "very emotional, seeing my friends having this wake and seeing their love".He wanted to make the most of his last few months and weeks."I thought, I'm going to have a party like no other party. I'm going to bop around on that floor as long as I can."Because when the time comes and I have to go into palliative care, that's not going to happen – but until then I'm going to continue going to the groups."He told his friends at the event: "Thank you for coming. You're diamonds, love you all, you mean the world to me." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- BBC News
Michelle Sadio: Murder accused deny Harlesden drive-by shooting
Three men have pleaded not guilty to the murder of a woman who was shot outside a church in north-west Sadio, 44, was killed as she stood among a crowd of mourners after a wake at the River of Life Elim Pentecostal Church in Harlesden on 14 December via videolink at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, Tahjin Sommersall, 18, of Feltham, Shaquille Sutherland, 25, and Perry Allen-Thomas, 26, both of Wembley, all denied a charge of murder, while Mr Sommersall also pleaded not guilty to possessing a firearm on the same are expected to stand trial in January. The three men also denied the attempted murder of two men who were shot and injured outside the the defendants appeared by videolink from HMP Belmarsh, except for Mr Allen-Thomas who appeared by link from HMP Brixton.A fourth defendant - Amir Salem, 19, also of Wembley - is charged with murder and two counts of attempted murder, but did not enter any pleas to the charges. Shots fired into crowd On the day of the shootings, a wake was being held for 80-year-old Dianne Boatong who had died nine days about 17:00 GMT, a group of young people arrived and congregated in the area outside the had been denied entry as some were drinking and smoking, the Old Bailey after 21:10 GMT, a dark-coloured Kia pulled up and shots were fired into the crowd before the vehicle drove away, the court Sadio, who had been standing with mourners, was fatally shot and died at the as young as five years old were said to be among the crowd when the shooting happened, the court next hearing for the four defendants will be for further case management on 10 July.
