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Kamali Gabbidon-Lynck death: Five jailed for life for brutal murder of teen in north London

Three teenagers and two men have been jailed for life for stabbing a 19-year-old man to death in a north London hair salon.

They will serve a combined total of at least 116 years behind bars for the murder of Kamali Gabbidon-Lynck in Wood Green last year.

Sheareem Cookhorn, 21, of Tottenham, who was also found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent will serve a minimum of 28 years in prison.

Tyrell Graham, 18, of Leyton, who pleaded guilty to possessing a knife at an earlier hearing, will serve a minimum of 25 years.

Both were found guilty on Friday, December 6 of killing Kamali and of the attempted murder of a second man, aged 20.

Tyrell Graham and Sheareem Cookhorn (Met Police)
Tyrell Graham and Sheareem Cookhorn (Met Police)

The lifting of reporting restrictions today means that the three teenagers involved can also be named as Jayden O’Neil-Crichlow, Shane Lyons, and Ojay Hamilton, all aged 17.

They will all serve a minimum jail time of 21 years for Kamali’s murder and for grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to the second man.

The Old Bailey heard how Kamali, a father-of-one, was knifed as he sought refuge in a hairdressers as his attackers gave chase “like a pack of animals”.

His 20-year-old friend was stabbed eight times and shot in the buttock but survived.

Police in Wood Green after the attack (PA)
Police in Wood Green after the attack (PA)

On the night of the murder, the five defendants, along with two unknown individuals, set off on bicycles towards Wood Green at around 7pm to target rival gang members.

They were armed with at least five knives, including a machete and a small sword, a handgun and a shotgun.

As they approached a Vue cinema complex on Lordship Lane, the group spotted Kamali and his friend and immediately produced the knives and guns.

Cookhorn fired shots at the victims but they missed. One bullet was later recovered in a nearby shop, having travelled through an open door, narrowly missing customers and staff.

The victims’ group prepared for a fight but changed their minds and decided to flee when Cookhorn fired his handgun.

The defendants’ group soon caught up with the 20-year-old and surrounded him, stabbing him eight times and shooting him once in the buttock. However, their attack was interrupted when Kamali - who had managed to return to his parked car - drove towards the defendants in a failed attempt to frighten them off.

The defendants turned their attention to Kamali and began to strike the vehicle’s windows and windscreen with their weapons.

The 19-year-old tried to escape by reversing his car away but became stuck when he backed into several parked cars. He left his car and ran into a hairdresser’s across the road hoping to barricade himself inside.

But the defendants followed and Kamali suffered fatal stab injuries, dying in hospital hours later.

Murder Victim Kamali Gabbidon-Lynck with his one year old daughter
Murder Victim Kamali Gabbidon-Lynck with his one year old daughter

Describing the shocking incident , Detective Chief Inspector Simon Stancombe said: “Having chased down Kamali and his friend like a pack of animals they set about them with a ferocity I have rarely seen. Not content with the damage they had caused that night they then boasted about their murderous exploits in amateurish drill videos.

“In truth, there are no winners, no bragging rights or anything to be proud of. One man is dead, another has life-changing injuries, a family is utterly bereft and five young men will spend the best days of their lives behind bars.

“I want to pay tribute to Kamali’s family who throughout this trial have maintained their dignity in very difficult circumstances.

“If you are caught up in a gang, or you know someone who is, please take advantage of the support services and diversion schemes available to you - before it’s too late.”

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