Taylor Cox: Parents say earlier stabbing ended his football career

David Campbell said his son had a "heart of gold"

A promising north London footballer who was shot dead over a gang feud had turned away from the game he loved after being injured in an earlier attack, his parents have revealed.

Taylor Cox, 19, was killed in Hornsey in June 2021 and three people were jailed for his murder on Friday.

His parents David Campbell and Kerri Cox said their son was on a path to a footballing career.

Mr Campbell also said his son had a "heart of gold".

Mr Cox played for Finchley Revolution before being signed for Borehamwood football club at the age of 16.

However, on the day he was supposed to receive his new kit, he was stabbed.

• Three jailed for life for murder in gang feud

• Three guilty of murdering man shot near school

The incident affected his confidence and ruined his life, his parents told the PA news agency following Friday's sentencing.

Taylor Cox, who was from Barnet, died in hospital after being shot in the head in Hornsey Rise Gardens

"It sort of ruined his life after he got stabbed," Mr Campbell said.

"He didn't even want to retaliate after that. We moved away and he started to come back to himself.

"He wanted to drive and get his licence. He was doing a lot to change his life around and he was a lovely boy."

By the time of his death, Mr Cox, then aged 19, was a member of a street gang called the A Team, which was in a bloody feud with a rival gang.

'They were like soulmates'

He was said to have been on a "ride out" in the rival gang's territory when he was fatally shot in an alleyway on 8 June 2021.

Referring to Mr Cox's mother, Mr Campbell said: "It's been hard for her because they were like soulmates."

Mr Campbell said his son wanted to pursue a career in mechanics and build a family.

Robel Michael, 22, of Islington, Jaden McGibbon, 22, of Crouch End, and Sichem Mangituka-Mpelo, 22, from Holloway, were found guilty of his murder at a retrial in October.

'Tragedy for all involved'

Mr Campbell said the men had ruined their own lives, his son's and all those connected to the case.

"My message to them is that they've wasted four lives," he said.

"It's a tragedy for everyone involved."

The family spoke of their relief at justice being served and the emotional nature of sitting through two separate trials.

Mr Campbell added: "We have mixed emotions about the sentencing. We think it should be longer but that's the criminal system.

"At least we got justice and I think it's been a long time going over this. But we've got to the end of it and it's some relief to the family.

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