The Trumpet Newspaper Issue 581 (October 5 - 18 2022)

Page16 TheTrumpet OCTOBER 5 -18 2022
News
Three jailed for murder of
fellow gang-member
Three men have been jailed for
an incident where their
associate was shot and killed
during a confrontation with a rival
gang.
While none of Adel Yussuf, Issa
Seed and Daniel Mensah fired the
fatal shots that killed 27-year-old Billy
McCullagh, they were found guilty of
murder in August after it was proven
in court that they joined McCullagh in
a gunfight intending to visit serious
violence on the opposition.
At the Central Criminal Court, also
known as the Old Bailey, they were
each jailed for a minimum of 29
years.
25-year-old Adel Yussuf was found
guilty of murder, conspiracy to
commit grievous bodily harm [GBH]
and possession of a firearm with intent
to endanger life.
25-year-old Issa Seed was found
guilty of murder, conspiracy to
commit grievous bodily harm [GBH]
and possession of a firearm with intent
to endanger life.
30-year-old Daniel Mensah was
found guilty of murder, conspiracy to
commit grievous bodily harm [GBH]
and possession of a firearm with intent
to endanger life.
Detective Inspector Tom Williams
from the Met’s Specialist Crime
Command led the investigation and
said: “This has been an extremely
complex and distinctly unique
investigation. At the centre of it is
Billy McCullagh who was fatally
wounded after being shot and left to
die in the street by both his so-called
friends and those who fired the shots.
“I am not here to judge his
motivation for driving with Yussuf,
Seed and Mensah into a rival gang
area with the intention of engaging in
violence – the sad fact is that a man
has lost his life in horrific
circumstances.
“However, it does serve as a stark
reminder of the futility of those who
engage in violence; the consequences
can be devastating and the outcome of
your actions often down to sheer
chance. Billy McCullagh’s family has
been left to deal with the devastating
aftermath of his murder, knowing that
his decision to go on a ride-out led to
Co-gangster - Adel Yussuf
Gang associate - George Orji
his own death.”
The court heard that on the evening
of 15 July 2020, McCullagh, Yussuf,
Seed and Mensah had gathered at a
party in the St Raphael’s Estate in
Brent. In the early hours of 16 July
2020, the four set out in a stolen Land
Rover car with the intention of
travelling to the nearby Stonebridge
Estate and attacking members of a
rival gang. They were in possession of
at least two firearms.
At around 03:00hrs, the occupants
of the car located a large group of
people who were gathered in the street
around Windrush Road, NW10.
Almost immediately, numerous
firearms were discharged from both
sides. In the chaos that ensued,
McCullagh – who had got out of the
car - was shot twice; Seed was also
shot in the leg. The car left at speed
leaving McCullagh to die in the street.
The three remaining members of
the group drove back to St Raphael’s
Estate where they immediately began
attempts to cover their tracks. Another
Co-gangster - Daniel Mensah
Gang associate - Leeban Farah
associate, Leeban Farah, was enlisted
to take Seed to hospital so his leg
injury could be treated; from there he
travelled with another male to buy
petrol and then returned where the
stolen Land Rover had been
abandoned in another area on the
estate.
The car was set on fire in an
attempt to destroy any evidence.
However, police had been called to the
area as a result of the fire and Farah
was apprehended by officers as he
tried to flee the scene. A subsequent
forensic analysis of the burnt out car
revealed four bullet holes in the
chassis. While the car was being
torched, Daniel Mensah contacted
George Orji who took possession of
one of the firearms used.
When officers attended an address
that Orji was seen entering, they found
two handguns, a silencer and a
paintball gun, with some items in a
Tesco bag. An analysis of the firearms
found that two of the cartridges
Co-gangster Issa Seed
recovered at the scene of McCullagh’s
murder had been fired from the
weapons; however – none of the
injuries sustained by him matched
bullets from these guns.
Phone analysis from Seed, Mensah
and Yussuf showed they and Billy
McCullagh, were in the same venue
and the four were in continual contact
in the hours leading up to the ride-out
to the Stonebridge Estate.
26-year-old Leeban Farah was
found guilty of perverting the course
of justice.
31-year-old George Orji was found
guilty of possession of an imitation
firearm with intent. He had previously
pleaded guilty to possession of a
firearm.
A 30-year-old woman charged with
possession of a prohibited firearm was
found not guilty.
DI Williams added: “While these
sentencings bring this aspect of the
investigation to a close, it still leaves a
significant part open. We have not
identified the person or persons
responsible for firing the shots that
killed Billy McCullagh; we will
continue to pursue lines of enquiry
and will work tirelessly to find those
responsible. I would appeal to anyone
who can provide information to get in
contact with officers; if you do not feel
confident speaking to police then you
can contact the independent charity
CrimeStoppers. They do not ask for
your identify and will not attempt to
trace your call or email.” You can
contact CrimeStoppers anonymously
via 0800 555 111 or at
crimestoppers.org
TheTrumpet is published in London fortnightly by Trumpet
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