Murder Plot Pair Convicted

Two teenagers - an up and coming music producer and an aspiring rap artist - have this week been convicted of conspiring to murder a 15 year-old pregnant girl.

On 27 October at the Old Bailey, Kingsley Ogundele, 19, a student and amateur "grime" artist, of Retford Road, Romford, was found guilty of conspiring to murder a 15-year old girl at Regent's Canal on 12 November 2008.

Previously, on 9 February, at the Old Bailey, Brandon Jolie, 19, a student and music producer, of Bute Street, Luton, pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder the same 15-year-old girl.

Together, the pair plotted to murder the victim after Jolie found out she was pregnant with his baby.

Jolie, who was worried that having a child might ruin his burgeoning music career, confided in his friend Ogundele.

Together they casually hatched a plan for Ogundele to murder the victim at the Regent's Canal, N1.

Their plan would have been successful had it not been for the timely and heroic intervention of a passerby.

Last November, Jolie arranged to meet the victim, who was 26 weeks pregnant, at the Regent's Canal.

However, he never intended to turn up. At 7.15pm the victim was walking alongside the canal having been lured there by Jolie with numerous text messages directing her to a secluded and dark area, when she was attacked from behind by Ogundele.

Ogundele hit her over the head with an object believed to be a metal pole numerous times, causing her to fall to the ground.

She was then punched, pushed into the canal and held down under the water by Ogundele.

Fortunately, a male passerby heard her screams and ran to help causing Ogundele to run away.

The man pulled the victim out of the water and she was taken to a North London hospital suffering minor head injuries.

Fortunately, her unborn child was unharmed and the victim was discharged from hospital soon afterwards.

Officers from the Islington Police Community Safety Unit, led by DI Helen Williams, embarked upon a thorough and exhaustive investigation involving liaison with computer experts.

On Ogundele's computer, after extensive examination, an MSN chat between the pair was revealed.

During this, they calmly plotted to kill the victim whilst having a light hearted conversation about popular TV shows and music.

Officers from Islington VIIDO unit also carried out extensive mobile phone and CCTV enquiries to track and confirm Ogundele's movements from the scene to Luton where Jolie lived.

Jolie was arrested in Luton on 13 November 2008 and Ogundele was arrested in Romford on 17 November last.

Detective Inspector Helen Williams from the Islington Police Community Safety Unit said: "It is difficult to comprehend the casual way in which Ogundele and Jolie callously plotted to kill the victim - all because they didn't want Jolie's aspirations of fame to be affected.

"If it wasn't for the courageous intervention of a member of the public we would have been dealing with a murder.

"Ogundele's conviction and Jolie's guilty plea are testament to the professionalism and dedication of Islington's investigative team and the experts who assisted us."

(BMcC/KMcA)