Kilburn man accused of killing his friend in bungled robbery faces a retrial

Jurors fail to reach a verdict after 20-year-old is shot in Croydon

An alleged robber accused of accidentally shooting his accomplice dead as they tried to snatch a cache of fake Rolex watches is facing a retrial today

Daniel Tesfay, 27, of Godwin House in Tollgate Gardens, Kilburn, is said to have mistakenly blasted 20-year-old Jonathan Barnes in the head instead of intended target Jordaan Williams.

Yesterday (Thursday), an Old Bailey jury was discharged after failing to reach a verdict despite ten days’ of deliberation.

Prosecutors must now decide whether to seek a retrial.

A further hearing will take place next week, when a date will be set if it is decided the case should go before a jury again.

Mr Barnes was gunned down in the dining room of Mr Williams’ home in Croydon, south London, at around 8pm on August 23 last year.

He was rushed to hospital but pronounced dead at 1.30am on August 25.

The court heard claims that Tesfay and Mr Barnes ambushed Mr Williams after he advertised the fake watches for sale using Blackberry Messenger.

The would-be robbers believed the Submariner watches to be real and worth around �8,000, but they had in fact been bought over the internet for as little as �118.

Jurors were told that Tesfay allegedly produced a semi-automatic pistol before grabbing the watches and shooting Mr Barnes in a struggle.

They also heard claims that in the days that followed Tesfay booked into a hotel in Earl’s Court under the name Yusuf Ibrahim.

But, he was tracked him down and armed officers swooped on him on September 1.

A search of his single room later revealed �400 of cash in �100 bundles.

Tesfay denied murder and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.