Downham robbery killers begin lengthy jail sentences

Trio jailed for 35 years for the killing of a young entrepreneur. Pic: Metropolitan Police.

Trio jailed for a total of 35 years for the killing of a young entrepreneur. Pic: Metropolitan Police.

Three men are facing lengthy prison sentences for the manslaughter of Afyon Saint-Hilaire, 22, following a botched drug deal.

Dad-of-one Saint-Hilaire was fatally stabbed on his way to trade cannabis, during a “robbery that went wrong” outside McDonalds on Bromley Hill in July of last year.

The convicted men, two of which are from Croydon area, were sentenced on January 7 to a total of 35 years in prison at the Old Bailey. Shyheim Green, 20, of Croydon and Lance Sioley, 23, of Thorton Heath were both jailed for 12 years each after being found guilty of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob.

Jordache Smith-Challis, 20, from Brighton was jailed for 11 years after being found guilty of the same charges.

Mickyle Bromfield, 24, of Field Lane, Brentford, was also sentenced to 10 years in prison for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Two other men, Marcus El-Alfy, 18, of Vincent Close, Bromley and Vishal Deowram, 18, of Wharfedale Gardens, Thornton Heath were acquitted of all offences.

Saint-Hilaire was on his way to trade cannabis when “three men appeared on the scene”, the court heard.

A fight broke out on the street with “horrified witnesses” seeing the victim being stabbed in his leg twice, according to the prosecution. During the clash, Bromfield, Saint-Hilaire’s cousin who waited in his car nearby, threatened the men with a gun.

Saint-Hilaire, a young property developer and father, managed to get into the driver’s seat of his car and escape the scene. However he crashed his car and was pronounced dead despite several attempts at first aid by police officers and ambulance crews.

A post-mortem examination at Princess Royal University Hospital found the cause of death was shock, haemorrhage and a stab wound to the leg.

Detective Inspector Richard Leonard, of the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “This was a case of robbery that went very wrong and ended with the death of a young man in front of horrified onlookers. I am pleased that the jury has found these men guilty and will no doubt be given lengthy sentences to reflect the role that they played.”

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