09/07/2009

Gang Members Jailed For Teenager's Murder

Six members of a gang have today been sentenced over the death of a 14-year-old schoolboy who died in a park in Hackney.

Shaquille Smith was attacked by a 10-strong bicycle gang called the London Field Boys last August as he sat in the park in front of his home in Hackney, east London.

The Old Bailey heard the gang had "violence on their minds".

George Amponsah, 19, Godiowe Dufeal, 20, Amisi Khama, 18, Freddie Amponsah, 17, Kadean Dias, 18, and Leon Atwell, 17, all from Hackney, were found guilty of murder last month.

They have been given life sentences with minimum terms ranging from 15 to 18 years.

Old Bailey judge David Paget said the victim was a "truly innocent" victim.

He said: "The most shocking aspect is that it was completely unnecessary.

"It was truly mindless violence resulting in the death of a totally innocent 14-year-old boy."

Army cadet Shaquille was the youngest person to be murdered in a knife attack in London last year.

(JM/BMcC)

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