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21/03/2005
Life sentences for New Year killers
Four men convicted of the murder of Charlene Ellis and Letisha Shakespeare have been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Nathan Martin, 25, Charlene's half-brother, Marcus Ellis, 24, Michael Gregory, 22 and Rodrigo Simms, 20 were found guilty of the murders of Charlene, 18 and Letisha, 17 outside a hair salon in Aston, Birmingham on January 2, 2003.
The girls had been attending a party at the salon, when the killers, using a sub-machine gun, gunned them down. The jury had been told that the girls had been murdered in a row between rival gangs, which had gone wrong. Charlene's twin sister, Sophie and their friends Cheryl Shaw and Leon Harris were also injured in the attack.
During sentencing today, Martin, Ellis and Gregory were told that they must serve at least 35 years before parole could be considered. Simms was sentenced to 27 years.
Martin, Ellis and Gregory were also found guilty of the attempted murder of Sophie Ellis, Cheryl Shaw and Leon Harris. Simms was convicted of the attempted murder of Ms Ellis and Ms Shaw, but cleared of the attempted murder of Mr Harris.
All four men had denied the charges against them.
(KmcA/MB)
Nathan Martin, 25, Charlene's half-brother, Marcus Ellis, 24, Michael Gregory, 22 and Rodrigo Simms, 20 were found guilty of the murders of Charlene, 18 and Letisha, 17 outside a hair salon in Aston, Birmingham on January 2, 2003.
The girls had been attending a party at the salon, when the killers, using a sub-machine gun, gunned them down. The jury had been told that the girls had been murdered in a row between rival gangs, which had gone wrong. Charlene's twin sister, Sophie and their friends Cheryl Shaw and Leon Harris were also injured in the attack.
During sentencing today, Martin, Ellis and Gregory were told that they must serve at least 35 years before parole could be considered. Simms was sentenced to 27 years.
Martin, Ellis and Gregory were also found guilty of the attempted murder of Sophie Ellis, Cheryl Shaw and Leon Harris. Simms was convicted of the attempted murder of Ms Ellis and Ms Shaw, but cleared of the attempted murder of Mr Harris.
All four men had denied the charges against them.
(KmcA/MB)
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19 May 2006
New Year killers lose appeal bid
Four men sentenced to life for the murder of teenagers Charlene Ellis and Letisha Shakespeare at a New Year's party in 2003 have lost their bid to appeal against their convictions. Marcus Ellis, Michael Gregory, Nathan Martin and Rodrigo Simms were convicted of the murders last March.
New Year killers lose appeal bid
Four men sentenced to life for the murder of teenagers Charlene Ellis and Letisha Shakespeare at a New Year's party in 2003 have lost their bid to appeal against their convictions. Marcus Ellis, Michael Gregory, Nathan Martin and Rodrigo Simms were convicted of the murders last March.
13 November 2003
Four in court over drive-by double killing
Four men have appeared in court in Birmingham today in relation to the murders of two teenage revellers who were shot outside a New Year's Eve party in the city last year.
Four in court over drive-by double killing
Four men have appeared in court in Birmingham today in relation to the murders of two teenage revellers who were shot outside a New Year's Eve party in the city last year.
18 March 2005
Four men convicted of New Year murders
Four men have been found guilty on charges relating to the murder of two teenage girls attending a New Year's party in Birmingham two years ago.
Four men convicted of New Year murders
Four men have been found guilty on charges relating to the murder of two teenage girls attending a New Year's party in Birmingham two years ago.
18 February 2005
Man acquitted over New Year killings
A man has been cleared of the shootings of two teenage girls at a New Year party in 2003. Tafarwa Beckford, 22, was one of five men accused of killing Letisha Shakespeare, 17, and Charlene Ellis, 18, who were shot dead at a New Year's party in Birmingham in January 2003. It was reported that the two girls had been the victims of a gangland row.
Man acquitted over New Year killings
A man has been cleared of the shootings of two teenage girls at a New Year party in 2003. Tafarwa Beckford, 22, was one of five men accused of killing Letisha Shakespeare, 17, and Charlene Ellis, 18, who were shot dead at a New Year's party in Birmingham in January 2003. It was reported that the two girls had been the victims of a gangland row.
11 February 2008
Teen Gang Killers Get 'Life' Sentences
The three teenagers who kicked an innocent householder "like a football" after he confronted them about vandalism outside his Cheshire home in August, have been jailed. All of the defendants were previously found guilty and have now been jailed for life for the murder of dad-of-three Garry Newlove.
Teen Gang Killers Get 'Life' Sentences
The three teenagers who kicked an innocent householder "like a football" after he confronted them about vandalism outside his Cheshire home in August, have been jailed. All of the defendants were previously found guilty and have now been jailed for life for the murder of dad-of-three Garry Newlove.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
