Teenager sentenced to minimum of 29 years for murder of Lianne Gordon

A teenager has been sentenced to life imprisonment after DNA and phone evidence linked him to the fatal shooting of a woman in Hackney.

Joshua Alexander, 17 (04.02.07) of Wellington Road, E6 will serve a minimum of 29 years after being found guilty of murdering Lianne Gordon almost a year ago.

Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke, who led the investigation, said: “Alexander is a dangerous individual, who at just 16 years old had no qualms about carrying and using a deadly weapon. We are pleased he has been brought to justice and that he will now spend a significant period behind bars.

“Our thoughts of course remain with the loved ones of Lianne Gordon, a mother of two who was shot dead for reasons we may never fully understand. We know this has been an extremely difficult time and we will continue to offer them our full support.”

Police were called at 18:28hrs on Tuesday, 5 December 2023, to reports of a shooting outside an address in Vine Close, E5. Officers and paramedics from the London Ambulance Service attended and found three people with gunshot wounds.

Despite the efforts of the emergency services, Lianne, aged 42, sadly died at the scene.

Two other people, a 20-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy, were taken to hospital for treatment to injuries that were not life threatening.

Alexander was arrested at his home address on 8 December 2023 – a search of his home found Class A drugs, a machete, a ‘burner phone’ and drug paraphernalia. A glove seized from the property also had his DNA and firearm residue on it, linking him to the fatal shooting.

Analysis of his devices showed that after he returned home from the shooting, he conducted 65 searches on news sites and social media relating to a ‘fatal shooting in Hackney’ and ‘Lianne Gordon’.

Footage seized by officers also showed the defendant approaching the two other victims as they stood outside Lianne Gordon’s home on Vine Close. He fired shots at them both as they attempted to hide behind parked cars.

It was at this point that Lianne, realising she was in danger, attempted to close the door, but the teenager was able to shoot her before she could do so.

A post-mortem examination confirmed that Lianne had died from a gunshot wound to the head.

Officers would later seize song lyrics, composed by the defendant in his cell, that were a self-congratulating outline of the murder and the shootings.

Alexander was also sentenced to:

-Attempted murder relating to an incident at Hackney Central station on 1 March 2023: 16 years, concurrent to the above.

-Two counts of attempted murder in relation to the two male victims on 5 December: 14 years each, to be served concurrently

-Affray: Two years detention and training order, concurrent

-Possession of a blade: Two years detention and training order, concurrent

-Possession of a firearm: Three years, concurrent

The above three convictions relate to an incident on 2 December 2023 where shots were fired close to the entrance to Vine Close. Forensic testing showed the same gun was used in Lianne’s murder.

-Possession with intent to supply cocaine: 30 months (concurrent)

-Possession with intent to supply heroin: 30 months (concurrent)