‘Murder Mike’ sentenced to life for killing accomplice

Daniel Tesfay Pic: Metropolitan Police

A robber from Croydon who accidentally shot his accomplice during a botched burglary has been jailed for a minimum of 30 years for his murder.

Daniel Tesfay, 27, who styled himself as ‘Murder Mike’ was sentenced at the Old Bailey on November 26 for shooting Jonathan Barnes, 20, as they attempted to steal a cache of fake Rolexes from a residential address in Addiscombe.

The watches, which they believed to be worth £8000, were in fact counterfeits bought over the internet for £118.

Tesfay, of no fixed address, was convicted of murder and having a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Barnes and Tesfay had arranged to buy the watches from Jordaan Williams and came to meet him at his home in Morland Road, Croydon, on August 23, 2011.

Williams told the court that having agreed to a price of £6,500 for the timepieces, Barnes turned to Tesfay and said: “Let’s do it. He took out a handgun and aimed it at my chest. He said to me, ‘Do you know who I am? I am Murder Mike the Murder Man. Do you want me to blow up your chest? I will shoot you.”

As the pair made their escape, Tesfay shot at Williams but hit Barnes, from Lewisham, in the head. Barnes died two days later in St. George’s Hospital.

During the two week trial, the court heard how Tesfay had shot his gun “like something out of the computer game Resident Evil”.

During the trial, Tesfay claimed that a mystery gunman had shot at his friend as they were leaving with the watches.

Mr Justice Worsley, addressing Tesfay at his sentencing, said: “This is an offence with a higher seriousness than most and you have shown no remorse.”

Leave a Reply