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Teenager convicted of murder after a man was shot dead in front of his mum

A teenager has been convicted of murder after he fatally shot a 20-year-old man in broad daylight in south east London last summer.

Jesse Lloyd-Smith was found by his mother after she heard gunshots in East Surrey Grove, Peckham at 16:50hrs on Wednesday, 10 July 2024. Jesse was taken to hospital after the incident where he sadly died the following day.

Following a three month trial at the Old Bailey, the jury delivered a guilty verdict to 19-year-old Gabriel Charles (07.10.2005) from Southwark, south London on Thursday, 24 July.

Charles was found to have driven purposefully towards a Peckham alleyway in a silver Ford S-Max. The car passed the Damilola Taylor Centre, turned the corner and stopped before he exited the vehicle and ran towards Jesse Lloyd-Smith. There, Charles fired a gun five times. One of those bullets fatally wounded Jesse.

The court heard that Charles fled the country after the incident. He was arrested and charged with murder in November 2024 when he returned to the UK.

Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila from the Met’s Specialist Crime Unit said:

“A mother should never experience the loss of a child, particularly as a result of violent crime. Our thoughts remain with Jesse’s family, who have demonstrated unwavering resilience and togetherness over the year and throughout the trial.

“The impact of gun crime is horrific. I hope this conviction acts as a deterrent to anyone considering carrying out acts of extreme violence. Justice will be served.”

Jesse’s mother, Ty Lloyd-Smith, added:

“To those responsible for the brutal daylight shooting of my beloved son, I wish to express the overwhelming emotional turmoil our family and friends continue to face. The loss of a vibrant young man, filled with potential and dreams, serves as a heart-breaking reminder of the fragility of life.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the homicide team for their relentless patience, commitment, and dedication in bringing these perpetrators to justice. Their tireless efforts have provided us with a glimmer of hope amidst our pain. Additionally, we are profoundly thankful for the compassion and care given by the London Air Ambulance team during our son's critical time of need. Their quick actions and heartfelt support made a difference in his final moments.

“We urge the community to come together and advocate for a safer environment for our children. Together, we can make a difference. Fighting for justice is not just for our loved ones but for every child in our community who deserves to live without fear. We ask for support in creating initiatives that foster safety, understanding, and compassion.”

Five other men and a 17-year-old boy involved in the incident were found guilty of perverting the course of justice at the Old Bailey.

They are:

  • Abdoul Guene, 18 (16.09.2006) of Peckham.
  • Kywan JN Pierre, 18 (18.02.2007) of Selhurst.
  • Ben Nguyen, 20, (20.11.2004), of no fixed address.
  • Kadjo Kadio, 21 (01.07.2004) of Romford.
  • Enver Francis, 22 (20.12.2002) of Southwark.

All seven will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on date yet to be decided.

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