Bushey 'honeytrap' murder: Five jailed for killing Vishal Gohel

A post-mortem examination showed Vishal Gohel, 44, had suffered severe blows to his head.

Three men and two women have been jailed for killing a man who thought he was going to have a sexual liaison.

Vishal Gohel, 44, was found unresponsive in his flat in Bushey, Hertforshire, in 2022.

Yarley Georgia Bruce-Annan, 22, who referred to the victim as her "sugar daddy", was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life with a minimum term of 26 years.

Prosecutors and police described Mr Gohel as the victim of a "honeytrap".

At St Albans Crown Court on Friday, two other men were jailed for murder and another man and woman were jailed for manslaughter.

Prosecutor Charlotte Newell said Mr Gohel "was ambushed in a group attack in his own home"

The court heard the victim, who was expecting to have sex with three women, was in contact with Bruce-Annan the day before via Craig's List, an online market where goods and services are offered.

Bruce-Annan, an apprentice at Coutts bank, left Barking in a taxi with her female co-defendant and arrived in Bushey at about 01:00 GMT.

The men arrived in an Audi at 02:25.

Prosecutor Charlotte Newell KC said: "It was the culmination of a plan that had been brewing throughout the day."

When Mr Gohel either could not or would not transfer cash he was fatally beaten and throttled, the court heard.

Prosecutors said the group attempted to clean the flat but no attempts were made to contact emergency services.

Gaffer tape

Earlier that night Mr Gohel was seen on CCTV at a nearby convenience store, where he bought alcohol, soft drinks, cigarettes, and condoms, wearing a smart watch.

He borrowed £100 in cash from his mother, who lived nearby, and withdrew £100 from a cash machine.

Prosecutors said his watch, the £200 in cash and iPhone was later stolen.

The following morning, Ms Newell said a neighbour found him lifeless on the bedroom floor with gaffer tape around the lower part of his face.

A post-mortem examination found he suffered a significant blow or blows to the head.

Tevin Leslie, Yarley Georgia Bruce-Annan and Sakeen Gordon were convicted of murder and conspiracy to rob

Brandon Browne and Faith Hoppie were convicted of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob

Bruce-Annan, of Harts Lane in Barking, east London, was convicted of murder and had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob.

Tevin Leslie, 23, of Hurst Street, Brixton, south London, was convicted of murder. He had admitted conspiracy to rob. He was given a minimum term before he can apply for parole of 26 years.

Sakeen Gordon, 22, of Uxbridge Road, Ealing, west London, was convicted of murder by a 10 to one majority and of conspiracy to rob. He was jailed for a minimum term of 25 years.

Brandon Browne, 23, of Laburnum Road, Rochester, Kent, was found not guilty of murder, but convicted of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob. He was sentenced to 15 years.

Faith Hoppie, 22, of Blake Avenue, Barking, east London, was found not guilty of murder, but convicted of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob. She was sentenced to eight years.

'A deep pit'

"The facts of this case are as tragic as they are sordid," said Judge Richard Foster.

"What began as a sordid little enterprise ended up as a tragedy."

Mr Gohel's family, in a statement, said he was a "wonderful" father-of-two.

"The damage caused to his young boys by this heinous crime is indescribable," they said.

"We are a very close and joyful family. We did everything together.

"Vishal was an integral part of our family. Now we have been pitched in a deep pit of grief, doubt and fear."