Kerim Fuad KC’s client acquitted of one count of murder, and two counts of attempted murder, at the Old Bailey

After a lengthy trial which ran from January to June 2024, four co-defendants were convicted of murder and attempted Section 18 of two other victims who survived the attack.

A Land Rover Freelander was specifically bought the day before by Kerim’s client, C.B, and used to deliberately ram a Mini off the road, allowing co-defendants to shoot the three occupants of the Mini at close range. One man was shot dead and the other two were miraculously not killed.

C.B was convicted of manslaughter only, despite very strong evidence that he had bought the Freelander expressly for the fatal attack. He registered it into a false name and address, fuelled it on a couple of occasions in preparation, and secreted it nearby.

The next day C.B was in the car, which contained a variety of weapons, when the victims’ Mini was tracked, followed for some time and rammed off the road. He remained with the six co-defendants afterwards as they got into another car and escaped the scene.

There was compelling CCTV, phone, cell site and association evidence. His client did not provide an account in interview nor give evidence. Kerim cross examined all of the civilian eye witnesses with masterful effect and delivered his trademark powerful closing address.

His client received a determinate sentence of 12 years, of which he will serve two thirds, with time already spent deducted before release. Two other younger defendants who were also in the car received terms of imprisonment of nine and nine and a half years.

The convicted murderers received life sentences with minimum terms to be served of 33, 30, 29 and 29 years respectively.

Kerim led the always-excellent Robert Ward of 15 NBS and was instructed by the ever-diligent Lauren Alphonse of AB Mackenzie Solicitors.