Croydon teenagers guilty of Shakilus Townsend murder

The Croydon teenager was murdered by gang members because of a love rivalry, the Old Bailey jury were told.

The 16-year-old boy was set upon by members of the Shine My Nine (SMN) gang who beat him with a baseball bat, kicked him and stabbed him several times with one or more knives on Thursday July 3, 2008.

He had been going out with Samantha Joseph, who was 15 at the time. She was also seeing one of the accused Danny McLean, a member of the gang.

Danny McLean

Joseph acted as a honey trap, luring Shakilus to Beulah Crescent in Thornton Heath to be ambushed and attacked by the accused.

Danny McLean stabbed Shakilus with a knife and was accidentally hit on the back of the head by a Andre Thompson, street name Tiny Bouncer, with a baseball bat during the attack, the Old Bailey jury heard.

Thompson had a previous fight with Shakilus in which the murdered teen had knocked out his two front teeth.

Samantha Joseph

After he was stabbed Shakilus cried for his mother saying: “I don't want to die.”

He died of his wounds in hospital on July 4, 2008.

The jury heard how the 16-year-old girl had been going out with Shakilus for about two months before he was killed.

However, at the same time she was also seeing Danny McLean, one of the accused and an alleged member of SMN.

Tyrell Ellis

Once he learned about Shakilus, the girl agreed to set him up to prove herself to McLean.

Tyrell Ellis, 19, Don Carlos Ellis, 18, Andre Thompson, 17, Michael Akinfenwa, 17, and Andre Johnson Haynes, 18 were also accused of the murder.

Shakilus was attacked by at least three people while the others acted as look-outs, the court was told.

McLean initially said he was not involved in the attack on Shakilus and had received his head wound when he was attacked by a group of men who were members of another gang called Don't Say Nothing (DSN).

Don Carlos Ellis

He then admitted stabbing the 16-year-old but insisted it was only after Shakilus drew out his own knife.

Detective Inspector Barney Ratcliffe, of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command investigation team, said: "This is an absolutely tragic case, where a young boy has been viciously attacked simply for liking the wrong girl.

Andre Thompson

"Even though she knew her relationship with Shakilus was putting him in danger, Samantha Joseph carried on and when the point of no return arrived she knowingly and callously led him to his death.

"The level of deception, cunning and co-ordination used to lure Shakilus to his death, illustrates the determination of all those involved.

Michael Akinfenwa

"After the attack Joseph and McLean calmly walked away, even stopping in a nearby shop to seek medical help for a head injury he had suffered during the incident.

"These convictions are testimony to the quality of this investigation into what was a complex scenario.

"It should also serve as a warning to all those who associate with violent individuals, that even if you are not directly party to an attack, if you know and conspire with others, we can and will prosecute you."

Andre Johnson Haynes

• What do you think? Let us know by email here, phone the newsdesk on 020 8330 9555 or leave a comment below.