Celebrations ended in Wild West shoot out

A BIRTHDAY party ended in a bloodbath after three men were shot resulting in two of them dying, a court heard today.

Kevin Powell, 35, of Larrix Court in Harlesden Road, Harlesden, is accused of shooting Michael Smith, who is charged with killing 36-year-old Patrick Forde, outside the 30th bash in east London.

The Old Bailey heard Smith, 27, blasted Mr Ford and Eugene Brown, 27, who died six weeks later, on May 29 last year.

He was then chased through the street and shot repeatedly by one of the victim’s friends in retaliation - but miraculously survived.

Jurors were told the shootout happened at Lamborghini driver Nana Oppong’s birthday party.

Oppong, Smith and Powell are joined in the dock by three women Camilla Ghimpu, 25, Nerissa Harris, 28, Dashka Stancilas, who are accused of hiding guns and bullets in the aftermath of the shooting.

They deny the charges.

Violence erupted at the after-party at around 5am, when guest Mr Brown fires four shots into the ceiling, jurors heard.

Smith and Oppong retaliate and CCTV footage taken from the venue showed the first defendant stuffing a handgun into the back of his trousers.

Prosecutor William Boyce QC said: “When Smith finished shooting they (Smith and Oppong) just amble, swagger, stroll away from the scene.”

Powell, who heard shots being fired, then ran round the corner to see his friend Forde lying on the ground.

The barrister went on: “Powell, say the prosecution, then decided to take the law into his own hands, because he went off after Smith.’

Powell denies attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Smith denies murder, attempted murder and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Oppong denies perverting the course of justice and possessing a firearm.

The trial continues.