Five men have been jailed following the brutal daylight shooting that claimed the life of 22-year-old Imani Allaway-Muir near a children’s playground in Islington. The tragic incident shocked the local community and has now resulted in significant prison sentences handed down at the Old Bailey.
Demetrios Kyriacou, 35, of Liverpool Road, Islington, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 31 years after being found guilty of murder on 25 November. Nathaniel Reece, 41, of Southgate Road, Islington, who was identified as the shooter, also received a life sentence, with a minimum term of 33 years and two months, following a guilty plea.
In addition to the murder convictions, James Nicholson, 36, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter and involvement in the supply of Class A and B drugs on 23 December. Matthew Hardy, 36, from Six Acres Estate, Islington, received seven and a half years for manslaughter and an additional 18 months for conspiracy to supply Class B drugs. Darren Dredge, 41, was given eight and a half years for manslaughter and conspiracy to supply Class B drugs.
Both Kyriacou and Dredge were also convicted of drug offences and possession of criminal property, with those sentences running concurrently with their manslaughter terms.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil John of the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime Command condemned the violent act, stating, “Imani was a young man who had his whole life ahead of him, but by simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time, he was tragically killed in a horrific act of violence in broad daylight just metres from a playground and football pitch full of children.”
He continued, “Kyriacou refused police help after a robbery and took deadly matters into his own hands. He recruited friends to carry out a revenge plan that ended with Imani’s execution – a young man who had no connection to the initial robbery.”
Detective Chief Inspector John added, “We were determined to bring Imani’s killers to justice. My team worked tirelessly, gathering overwhelming evidence to convict these five men, who will now serve lengthy prison terms for their cold and callous crimes. There is never an excuse for violence, especially involving illegal firearms. The Met remains committed to tackling violence and removing dangerous weapons and those who carry them from the streets.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
