Three teens jailed for Hackney teen stabbing

THE STABBING of Tashaûn Aird of Hackney Downs ended his 15 year life. Tashaûn had wanted to be a music producer: instead, his life ended after an unproked attack. Now three more teenagers are facing long periods behind bars for killing him.

The teenagers were sentenced at the Old Bailey at the end of last month.
•Romaine Williams-Reid, 18, of Erith Crescent, Romford, was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to twelve years in prison. He was also found guilty of Section 20 Grievous Bodily Harm, for which he received a two and a half year sentence, to run concurrently.
•A 16 year old boy (aged 15 at the time of the offence) was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, with a recommendation that he serve a minimum of 17 years. He was also found guilty of Section 20 Grievous Bodily Harm, for which he received a four year sentence, to run concurrently.
•A second 16 year old boy (aged 15 at the time of the offence) was found guilty of manslaughter and received a sentence of 12 years in prison. He was also found guilty of Section 18 Grievous Bodily Harm, for which he received a four year sentence, to run concurrently.

Tashaûn had been out with his friends in a park near Somerford Grove, N16, when four young men came up to them and began to attack them. The boys all ran: but two of them were caught. One 16 year old was stabbed but did recover from his injuries. Tashaûn was stabbed several times in the park but did get away – only for one of the assailants to catch up with him again and, coldly and deliberately, stab in for a final time.

The Court had heard evidence that Williams-Reid was looking for the boys in order to attack them – and he had also been in touch with the other defendants to organise the attack. His two accomplices got to the Park in an Uber – which they then used to flee the scene. Williams-Reid took a bike which had belonged to one of the boys and rode to a friend’s house, where he changed his clothes.

Homicide detectives from the Metropolitan Police Specialist Crime investigated the incident. They patiently looked at hours of CCTV footage to find suspects and identify them. The Court heard that the three defendants were all in a gang, and they had been waging a war against Tashaûn, believing him to be in a rival gang, thought Tashaûn told them this was not true.

Detective Chief Inspector Helen Rance, who led the investigation, said, “I have seen first-hand the devastation caused by Tashaûn’s murder and the suffering that his family have had to endure as a result. Tashaûn was so young and had a long life ahead of him, this has been cruelly taken away.

“I would like to thank Tashaûn’s family for their support with our investigation and throughout the trial. I would also like to thank the witnesses who have showed strength and courage in attending court. Finally, thank you to the investigation team for their hard work and dedication to the case, they have worked tirelessly to piece together the evidence to bring those responsible to justice.”

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