Newham: Two men jailed for ‘brutal’ murder of teenager

Two men have been jailed for life for the “brutal and cowardly” killing of a teenager in east London.

Awadh Saleh and Rio Burton-Devine, both 25, from east London, were found guilty of murdering 18-year-old “junior” Abubakarr Jah, who was fatally shot and stabbed in April 2021.

Sentencing them at the Old Bailey, Judge Mark Dennis KC said they must serve minimum sentences of 36 years and 31 years respectively.

Junior Jah’s killing came four years after his older brother Ahmed was killed in 2017 near the same location. His killer has yet to be found and police have renewed their appeal for information.

During the trial, the jury heard that Junior Jah was attacked by Saleh and Burton-Devine as he walked along Coolfin Road in Newham.

It was heard that the defendants – driving a stolen Land Rover Discovery – set out on a “road trip” looking for anyone they believed might be linked to rival gangs.

A shot was fired from inside the vehicle, striking Junior Jah in the chest, causing him to fall backwards and onto the pavement.

CCTV showed Saleh getting out of the vehicle and stabbing the victim twice using a large knife.

Judge Dennis said it appeared Junior Jah was either shot “in a case of mistaken identity” or was “selected at random”.

“I am satisfied that this business has all the hallmarks of serious organized crime in the context of gang-related activity,” he said.

“This was a brutal and cowardly act of wanton violence on a defenseless teenager who was actually executed as he sat on the pavement of a London street.”

In a victim impact statement, Junior’s father, Abubakarr Jah, said: “His life was cut short by a horrific and brutal act of savagery.

“I have to live with the fact that my son’s last moments were in abject fear and pain.”

He said the defendants were “a blight on society and a danger to the community” and should be “ashamed” of themselves.

Saleh and Burton-Devine were also given a concurrent 18-year sentence for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Saleh was also sentenced to 18 months for possessing a bladed article.

Two other men – Asad Sharif, 29, from Manor Park, and Dino Hamza, 26, from Plaistow – were jailed for 39 months and 28 months respectively after pleading guilty to conspiracy to steal .

Inspector Gary Harreman, from the Met, said Junior Jah’s family had shown “great strength” throughout the investigation.

He said police continued to “fight for justice” for Ahmed and detectives were working to find those responsible for his death.

“It’s been seven years since he was killed, but we know that people’s loyalties can change over time,” he said.

He urged anyone with information to come forward.