Two jailed for barbecue shooting

Two men have been sentenced at London's Woolwich Crown Court to a total of over 30 years' imprisonment.

20-year-old Lewis Goldfine of Lancaster Gardens, Southend-on-Sea and 21-year-old Alex Adesoji of Listowel Close, Lambeth were sentenced following a shooting during a barbecue party in Stockwell last year.

Goldfine pleaded guilty at the start of the trial to: two counts of possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger and one count of possession of a Class 'A' controlled drug with intent to supply.

He received 16 years' imprisonment for possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life, 16 years' imprisonment for possession of a firearm with silencer and three years' imprisonment for possession of a Class 'A' controlled drug with intent to supply. All sentences will run concurrently.

Adesoji was sentenced alongside Goldfine after he was found guilty of possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life and grievous bodily harm.

He received 15 years' imprisonment for possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life and three years' imprisonment for grievous bodily harm. Both sentences are to run concurrently

The court heard that on 7 August 2015 the victim, a 26-year-old man, held a barbecue at his home address located in Stockwell Park Estate to celebrate his birthday. This attracted a number of other people from the estate, many of whom had not been invited.

Shortly after 01:00hrs the victim became aware of some men wearing balaclavas hanging around his home address. After opening his front door to investigate, he saw a group run up Moat Place towards Combermere Road. 

The victim chased this group and found they had surrounded a Ford Mondeo. The driver of the car was Goldfine and the passenger was Adesoji.

Adesoji was brandishing a handgun. A firearm was discharged at the group surrounding the car and hit the 26-year-old victim in his ankle. The car made off soon after the shooting.

Enquiries by Trident officers led them to Goldfine's home and following a subsequent search of his address the firearm that was used to shoot the victim was recovered along with a quantity of ammunition, a silencer and a large quantity of Class A and B drugs.

Goldfine was arrested on 2 October 2015 and charged on 3 October 2015.

Adesoji was arrested and charged on 15 November 2015 after evidence was found connecting him to the scene.

Detective Inspector Paul Dorey from the Trident and Area Crime Command said: "I am pleased that two dangerous criminals intent on endangering people's lives through the possession and use of the loaded firearm that was primed ready to go have been convicted. 

"The professional and thorough investigation by the officer in the case linked Goldfine and his criminal associate Adesoji to the shooting incident that took place in a crowded area during the summer of 2015 on the Stockwell Park Estate.

"These convictions serve as a reminder to anybody involved in the possession and use of firearms that officers from Trident and Area Crime Command will actively pursue them and place them before the courts."