Two men involved in the murder of an innocent 16-year-old girl have today been jailed for life.
Agnes Sina-Inakoju died two days after the shooting on April 14, 2010 at Hoxton Chicken and Pizza in Hoxton Street. She was fatally shot through the neck as she visited the takeaway with friends.
Leon Dunkley, aged 22, and Mohammed Smoured, aged 21, were both found guilty of her murder and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life at the Old Bailey. They were both given life sentences with a recommendation they serve a minimum of 32 years.
Around 19:15 on April 14, 2010 Agnes was inside the fast food outlet with two friends when two men riding bicycles – Dunkley and Smoured – came along Falkirk Street towards the junction with Hoxton Street. As they got close to the takeaway, Dunkley produced a sub-machine gun and fired.
The shot struck Agnes, who was sat at the window of the shop, in the right side of her neck and she collapsed on the floor.
As she fell both men turned their bikes around and rode back in the direction from which they had come.
Agnes’ friends and several members of the public, including a doctor and off-duty paramedic, rushed to help her. London Ambulance Service arrived moments later and took her to the Royal London Hospital after emergency surgery at the scene.
Despite their efforts and further surgery she died two days later.
Agnes lived at home on the De Beauvoir Estate with her mother and siblings. It is believed she was an innocent victim of a feud between the London Fields and Hoxton Boys gangs. It is believed that she was killed as Dunkley and Smoured targeted two males who were also inside the takeaway at the time.
Detective Chief Inspector John Crossley, from Trident, said: “Agnes was a totally innocent victim of gun crime who had her whole future ahead of her…
In dealing with the individuals involved we have also recovered a number of weapons, including the murder weapon, and convicted two younger members of the gang who were assisting the gunman by holding and moving the weapons.”
Dwayne McIntosh Wisdom, aged 17, was found guilty of assisting an offender, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of an imitation firearm. A 16-year-old male youth from Hackney was found guilty one count of possession of a prohibited firearm.
Hackney’s Borough Commander, Chief Superintendent Steve Bending, said: “Those convicted today have committed a crime that is as reckless as it is cowardly. They are each condemned by every right-minded person for playing their part in taking the innocent life of Agnes, a young lady with her whole life ahead of her. I know that all our thoughts are with Agnes’s family, as those responsible are sent to prison to face the consequences of their actions.”
