Life sentence for Harlesden man who murdered teenage boy in Hackney

Marcel Addai was stabbed to death (Image: Archant)

Rickell Rogers, of Brownlow Road, was sentenced today for stabbing to death 17-year-old Marcel Addai on the St John’s Estate.

The 22-year-old was one of four men from the Fellows Court gang who chased and stabbed the teenager on September 4 last year.

Sodiq Adebayo, 23, from Ilford, and Sheku Jalloh, 23, from Shoreditch, were also given life with 25 years.

Momar Faye, 19, from Hackney, must serve at least 22 years.

This knife was found at the murder scene (Picture: Met Police) (Image: Archant)

Marcel, a member of the Hoxton Boys gang which was at war with Fellows Court, was with his friends and had tried to run away but he fell and was kicked, punched and stabbed by all four.

The Old Bailey hear how one “long bladed knife” entered the back of his upper chest to penetrate his heart with “severe force” in what was described as an “overarm bowler’s action” by one witness.

Detectives investigating the murder traced them through compelling CCTV footage that had captured their cars on the estate.

When they were arrested and interviewed all four gave ‘no comment’ interviews.

Left to right: Sheku Jalloh, Momar Faye and Sodiq Adebayo (Image: Archant)

They were convicted of murder last week.

Sentencing them, Her Honour Judge Poulet said today: “You knew you were entering a street in the heart of the Hoxton Boys territory, and drove to the very corner the gang was well known to frequent.

“It may be Marcel was holding a knife in his hand but he was soon to drop that. You ran forward and he turned to flee – he tripped as he did so and a number of you then attacked him with knives as he tried to flee. You acted together with a single purpose.

“It was swift, brutal and ruthless. He died on the pavement as you drove away in the three cars.”

She continued: “This case is yet another example of the terrible grip that gang culture has on the men that embrace it.

“Your conduct since your arrests and throughout this trial has shown a ruthlessness, as well as a complete lack of remorse, a cruel disregard of the pain Marcel undoubtedly suffered that night and the continuing anguish of his family.

“You have made repeatedly clear your only concern is that you might be caught and your only emotion is panic as you tried to evade capture.

“You were all bought to justice by particularly impressive and extensive police work.”

Marcel’s grandfather, Matthew, said: “We are happy that justice has been served, but for us, it is part of the process of trying to move our youth away from crime. That, if you choose to commit a crime, there are consequences.

“Our heart goes out to the families of the offenders. We pray that they will come out of prison reformed characters.

“We miss Marcel very much.

“He was not an angel but there was hope whilst he was alive. The love and the efforts of the family would have seen him through the dark patch he was going through.”

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Partridge, from the Met’s homicide and major crime command, added: “This was a targeted attack that required a level of planning.

“I want to praise those witnesses who had the courage to stand up and come forward with information in this case, it demonstrates that communities will not accept these violent attacks taking place.

“This senseless violence has taken another young life and left a family devastated.”