Six “dangerous” men have been jailed for a range of offences involving guns after a significant police operation in London. The sentences were handed down following an investigation that uncovered illegal firearms and ammunition.
In the early hours of Friday, June 17, 2023, an “urgent” warrant was executed by the Metropolitan Police. Officers discovered three guns and ammunition hidden in a shoebox in a garage. This operation stemmed from intelligence suggesting the possession of an illegal firearm at the home address of David Messenger, aged 30.
Key Arrests and Evidence
David Messenger was arrested, and police accessed deleted conversations from Snapchat between him and Jordan Joseph, 29. The messages revealed Joseph asking Messenger to store the weapons and bring them to the funeral of Lemar Urquhart, who was shot dead in Brixton in October 2022.
Later that same day, police stopped a taxi heading towards Wandsworth Cemetery for the funeral. Inside were gang associate Chuckiel Simms, 25, and another individual. Officers found a gun with ammunition and a folding pocket knife, leading to their arrest.
Subsequently, police stopped another vehicle with “gang associates” Nyron Johnson-Cross, 31, Demare Vassell, 28, and Jordan Jones, 31. They had also attended the funeral. A gun, ammunition, several knives, and class A drugs were found in the vehicle. An internal dash cam recording captured conversations about the firearm, including how to handle it to avoid DNA transference.
Sentences
- Chuckiel Simms, of Blacktree Mews, Lambeth, was sentenced to nine years and nine months imprisonment at Kingston Crown Court on July 30. He was found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of ammunition, and possession of a knife.
- David Messenger, of Clapham Manor Street, Clapham, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment at Croydon Crown Court on June 28 for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
- Jordan Joseph, of Acorn Walk, Southwark, was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment at Croydon Crown Court on June 28 for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
- Nyron Johnson-Cross, of Corrance Road, Lambeth, Demare Vassell, of Cleeve Road, Surrey, and Jordan Jones, of Stretton Road, Croydon, were each sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. All three were jailed for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, at Kingston Crown Court on May 24.
Police Statement
Detective Superintendent Victoria Sullivan stated: “We’ve seen time and time again that guns destroy lives and communities. The shootings in recent months in parts of London are a terrible reminder of this.”
She praised the officers involved, saying, “I am immensely proud of the officers involved in this painstaking investigation for going above and beyond to make London safe by removing these dangerous offenders from the capital. The Met’s sustained work on firearms shows our commitment to making London a safer place. That progress and the success of this investigation should serve as a message to criminals and gang members using firearms – we will come after you and we will bring you to justice.”
Appeal for Information
The police urge anyone with information relating to firearms or shootings to call 101. Information can also be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
