Jail for East End teen trio caught with gun

THREE EAST END teenagers who were found with a gun back in April 2017 were finally sentenced last week, at Isleworth Crown Court. The trio had been found guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 21st December – after a two month trial.

The Balaclava found in the vehicle

Those sentenced were:
•Georgie Roy Sennis Ashman, 19, of Tarling Road, E16 – nine years imprisonment for conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life;
•Akin Akinunle, 19, of Turpin Avenue, RM5 – eight years for conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life;
•Martin Eze, 18, of Green Lane, RM8 – four years and four months for possession of a firearm.

The teenagers were in a grey Volkswagen Sharan inWhalebone Lane, near the junction with the A12 when they were stopped by police from Operation Trident, who were supported by armed response officers. The police found a sawn-off shotgun, a balaclava and gloves inside the car.

During their trial, prosecutors alleged that Ashman was an active member of a gang, and the shotgun was being collected from Collier Row in preparation for a revenge attack.

The shotgun recovered from the vehicle

The gloves found in the vehicle

Detective Inspector Steve Meechan of the Trident and Area Crime Command said, “This was an intelligence led investigation conducted by Trident officers, targeting criminal gangs actively involved in firearm enabled criminality and acts of violence. These defendants posed a significant threat to the public, arming themselves to actively seek out and take revenge upon rival gang members. I have no doubt that arresting and bringing them to justice has prevented deaths or serious injury.

“The substantial custodial sentences handed down to them today, should act as a significant deterrent to those involved in all aspects of gang related crime. Trident officers will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to disrupt and detect such criminality, helping prevent significant harm to the communities of London.”

•Read more about it:
Police call for public help in war on knife crime
East London teen guilty of terror offence

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