Life behind bars for gang who killed innocent man in shocking daylight shooting
Five jailed over murder of 22-year-old Imani Allaway-Muir
Demetrios Kyriacou, 35, of Liverpool Road, Islington, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 31 years at the Old Bailey on Friday, 25 November. He was found guilty of murdering 22-year-old Imani Allaway-Muir.
Nathaniel Reece, 41, of Southgate Road, Islington, who pulled the trigger, also got life with a minimum of 33 years and two months after pleading guilty to murder.
Matthew Hardy, 36, of Six Acres Estate, Islington, received 7½ years, and Darren Dredge, 41, was sentenced to 8½ years for manslaughter after being cleared of murder charges.
Hardy was also slapped with an extra 18 months for conspiracy to supply Class B drugs. James Nicholson, 36, with no fixed address, is due to be sentenced for manslaughter at a later date.
Drugs and violence tied to tragic killing
After the trial, Kyriacou admitted conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs, along with possession of criminal property. Dredge pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and possession of criminal property. Their drug sentences will run alongside their prison terms.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil John from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command summed up the horrific case:
“Imani was a young man with his whole life ahead of him, but by simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time, he was tragically killed in broad daylight just metres from a children’s playground and a busy football pitch. Kyriacou refused police help after his robbery and recruited his friends to take deadly revenge. Their joint actions resulted in Imani’s cold execution. We worked tirelessly to bring these killers to justice. There is never an excuse for gun violence, and we remain committed to removing dangerous weapons and those who carry them from London’s streets.”
Mother’s heartbreaking tribute to her lost son
In a poignant statement read out at court, Imani’s mother Keetha shared her pain:
“The pain we feel is unimaginable. Imani was the ‘glue’ to our family and loved by so many. A mother should never have to bury her son. July 4 will haunt me forever. Every time I close my eyes, I see his lifeless body covered in blood. I couldn’t hold or comfort him in his final moments. The worst pain was not being able to kiss him or assure him I was there. Imani was innocent and unaware of the robbery that led to his murder. He was scared when the defendants appeared with a gun and shot him. Our hearts will be broken until we are reunited with our precious Imani.”
Terrifying daylight shooting in Islington
- On 4 July 2020, Kyriacou was robbed on Carville Street, N4. His Rolex, cash, and iPhone were taken by four men in a black BMW.
- Police spoke to Kyriacou, who refused to discuss the robbery further.
- Kyriacou recruited friends to track down the stolen goods using the ‘Find My iPhone’ app.
- The group converged on Faraday Close in Roman Way, N7, where they found the stolen property and a group of people including Imani.
- Seconds later, Reece fired multiple shots, fatally wounding Imani, who was innocent and caught in the crossfire.
- The gun was later disposed of by Nicholson and has never been recovered.
- Despite emergency services’ efforts, Imani was pronounced dead 30 minutes later, with four bullet wounds sustained.
- Police recovered 14 bullet casings, phones and SIM cards belonging to Kyriacou, and the suspects’ getaway car at the scene.
The court heard that while Reece pulled the trigger, the other defendants were all involved in plotting and carrying out the crime. The Met’s thorough investigation using CCTV, mobile data, and ANPR proved the defendants’ guilt. All were arrested between July 2020 and February 2021.
Kyriacou also received additional concurrent jail terms: 10½ years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, 3½ years for conspiracy to supply Class B, plus 3 years 9 months for possession of criminal property.
