Gang member Vincent Olalekan Fadairo sentenced to 11 years imprisonment

07 February 2012

"The witnesses to this violent incident showed immense courage"

At 12:30hrs on 12 May 2011 in a busy high street an 18-year old man was with a group of friends as they prepared to return to college after their lunch break. He was approached by Fadairo on Manor Way, Erith and a heated argument took place. Moments later Fadairo pinned his victim against a wall and repeatedly stabbed him with a knife.

On arrival police and the London Ambulance Service found a young man with what appeared to be stab wounds to the face and hands - his assailant had left. The victim, who suffered a seven centimetre stab wound just below his left eye and cuts to his hand was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Greenwich and later transferred to St Thomas' Hospital for treatment.

Initially the only lead was a 'street name' and through some good intelligence work and cross references from a photograph on a witness's mobile phone, a social networking site and intelligence reports from another borough Vincent Fadairo was soon identified by the Bexley Serious and Violent Crimes Unit as the suspect for the offence and his details were circulated for his arrest.

Fadairo was arrested at an address in Bedfordshire on 22 June 2011. He was taken to Bexleyheath police station where he was interviewed, charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and remanded in custody.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Steve Underwood, Bexley Serious and Violent Crime Unit, said: "This was a difficult case in view of the obstacles that the investigating officers had to overcome but they were determined to see a violent gang member prosecuted and imprisoned."

From the beginning of the investigation witnesses expressed concern about assisting police and providing evidence. The ferocity of the attack, level of violence used and the known gang connections of the suspect weighed heavily on their minds.

DCI Underwood, said; "The witnesses to this violent incident showed immense courage, in the face of intimidation and threats from gang members, to stand up for what is right and do their part to remove violent people from the streets of London".

On the streets it was known that associates of Fadairo were making threats towards anyone who helped police. Through a high degree of victim care and support the witnesses were persuaded to work with police and attend court to give their crucial evidence. On 17 October 2011 police applied through the Crown Prosecution service to the Director of Public Prosecutions for the 'Witness Anonymity Applications' that allowed two main witnessed to give evidence in court from behind screens and with their voices disguised.

Under current legislation this is the first time the MPS has applied for a Witness Anonymity Order and only the second time in England.

A number of gang members were in court when the trial started on 5 December 2011 and when they started making hand gestures designed to intimidate, the Judge ordered the public gallery be cleared.

DCI Underwood, said: "After the guilty verdict the Judge commented that the information about a rise in knife crime provided by police would greatly influence his sentencing of the defendant. He indicated he would be applying the sentencing guidelines for attempted murder and that the defendant could expect a custodial sentence of 12 to 15 years.

"This was truly a case of the police and the public working together to deal with gang related violence and should send a clear message. The police will do all we can to prosecute violent offenders. We can and will protect witnesses who come forward to help us investigate violent crime."