Man jailed for 28 years for 'execution' shooting

Gabriel Charles's actions were described as "planned and premeditated"

A man has been given a life sentence for the "execution" of a 20-year-old man near a community centre dedicated to the memory of 10-year-old knife crime victim Damilola Taylor.

Gabriel Charles shot Jesse Lloyd-Smith in the head in an alleyway close to the Damilola Taylor Centre in Peckham, south-east London, on 10 July 2024. The shooting happened yards from Mr Lloyd-Smith's home and he was found by his mother.

After the shooting, Charles, 20, of Southwark, fled the country. He was convicted of murder by an Old Bailey jury on 24 July.

At the same court, he was told he must spend a minimum of 28 years in prison. Five other defendants were sentenced for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Jesse Lloyd-Smith, 20, died in hospital the day after he was shot

Sentencing Charles, Judge Patrick Field KC said: "Jesse's killing was not a spontaneous act. It was an execution, a planned and premeditated murder.

"That planning involved obtaining a stolen vehicle, false number-plates to disguise its identity, obtaining a firearm and ammunition and carrying out surveillance to identify Jesse's whereabouts. I am satisfied you, Gabriel Charles, carried out this surveillance."

The judge told the court he could not be sure if Charles was the gunman or the getaway driver but said it "may not matter" as both had intended to kill Mr Lloyd-Smith.

Judge Field paid tribute to the remarkable "fortitude and quiet dignity" displayed by the victim's family in court.

(Left to right) Ben Nguyen, Kywan JN Pierre, Enver Francis and Abdoul Guene were jailed for perverting the course of justice

He added: "This was in marked contrast to the quite frankly appalling behaviour witnessed in the dock during the trial, which was nothing short of ignorant, unfeeling and disrespectful.

"That Jesse's family had to be subjected to this behaviour is shameful."

There were shouts of anger from the public gallery as the five defendants were sent down.

Afterwards, the victim's mother, Ty Lloyd-Smith, said: "As a family we feel deeply disappointed in the overall sentencing. The guilty will feel like they have a victory, and this reflects some of the failings we have in the UK judicial system.

"The loss of a vibrant young man, filled with potential and dreams, serves as a heart-breaking reminder of the fragility of life.

"We will continue to hold Jesse in our hearts, and we will continue to celebrate his 20 years of life for the rest of our lives. Me, my daughters, our family and all our friends will uphold his legacy with purpose and conviction."

Spent cartridges found

Previously, the court had heard how a silver-coloured Ford S-Max had been driven slowly towards the alleyway at about 16:50 BST.

The gunman then got out of the S-Max and ran towards the victim, firing at least five shots.

Ms Lloyd-Smith heard the noise of her son being killed.

A search of the scene led to the recovery of four spent cartridges and two unfired bullets all from a 9mm automatic pistol, jurors heard.

Kywan JN Pierre, 19, from Selhurst, south London, was jailed for three years for perverting the course of justice, while Ben Nguyen, 20, of no fixed address - who was also convicted of assisting an offender - received a five-year sentence.

Enver Francis, 22, from Southwark, south London, was jailed for four years having "taken charge" of the plot to pervert the course of justice, the court heard.

Abdoul Guene, 19, from Peckham, was jailed for two years, with the same sentence of detention given to a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named.

A further defendant, Kadjo Kadio, 21, from Dartford, who voluntarily absented himself from the trial, will be sentenced at a later date for assisting an offender and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.