A man has been convicted for his role in a violent shooting incident involving a nine-year-old girl and three men outside a restaurant. Javon Riley, who confessed to assisting the gunman after the shooting at Evin Restaurant in Kingsland High Street, Hackney, on May 29 of the previous year, was found guilty at the Old Bailey. The 33-year-old, known for his criminal activities, was implicated in aiding the shooter following the drive-by attack captured on dramatic CCTV footage.
Initially claiming he believed it was a simple robbery, Riley’s involvement came to light after the young girl and three men were targeted in the violent clash between Turkish gangs in north London. The innocent girl, who has since resumed schooling post the incident, suffered a head injury as a result of the gunfire exchanged between rival factions. The court heard that the three injured men were associated with the Hackney Turks organized crime group, engaged in a longstanding feud with the Tottenham Turks, to which Riley had connections.
Riley was found guilty of causing grievous harm to the young girl and attempting to murder the three men involved in the feud. The court revealed that Riley had been actively involved in planning and executing the attack, including scouting the location, identifying targets, and facilitating the getaway of the gunman. Despite the shooter remaining at large, Riley was deemed to have played a significant role in the violent event.
Following a six-hour deliberation, the Old Bailey jury convicted Riley by a majority vote and remanded him into custody for sentencing on September 12. Judge Mark Lucraft KC indicated that a substantial prison term could be expected for Riley’s participation in the shooting that resulted in injuries to multiple individuals, one of them severely. The victim’s mother expressed the devastating impact of the incident on her daughter’s life and the family as a whole, highlighting the ongoing physical, emotional, and financial struggles they face in the aftermath of the traumatic event.