Hatton Wall murder site. Pic: Metropolitan Police
Dean Smith, a member of Hackney’s Lordship gang has been sentenced to serve a minimum of 31 years in prison for murdering a 22-year-old in Clerkenwell last year.
On December 17, Smith of Stoke Newington, was found guilty by an Old Bailey jury after a 12-week trial of killing Aarron McKoy on New Year’s Eve. Five other men who were arrested with Smith, were found not guilty by the jury..
The incident occurred on January 1, in Portpool Lane. McKoy was suffering from gunshots and was pronounced dead at the scene.
McKoy and his twin brother were celebrating their 22nd birthday at the Clerkenwell House Wine Bar in Hatton Wall.
Tensions had risen at the bar where members of rival London Fields and Lordship gangs were present. McKoy and his brother, who are linked to the Holly Street area, were not involved with the gangs. An argument was heard outside the bar at 4am, during which McKoy was stabbed. As the violence escalated, McKoy was chased down the street and was shot three times by Smith around 100 metres from the club.
Detective Chief Inspector Dave Rock, the investigating officer said: “Smith’s conviction has proved that he pulled the trigger that night and ended the life of an innocent man.
“Whilst we always believed that Smith was the gunman, the court heard that Aarron [McKoy] was pursued by a group of six men and that all of the group members were charged under joint enterprise.”
The other gang members also gave evidence against Smith.
