Hackney Stabbing Horror: Three Men Found Guilty of Murdering Joshua White
Taylar Isaac, 20, and David Kerrigan, 20, both from Hackney, have been found guilty of murdering 29-year-old Joshua White after a tense Old Bailey trial that ended on 16 April. Theo Momodu, 18, had already pleaded guilty to the same charge. All three were also convicted of wounding another man with intent.
Meanwhile, Harley McGivern, 20, from Hackney’s Beecholme Estate, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice for helping the killers cover their tracks. Sentencing will follow at the Old Bailey on a date yet to be set.
Brutal Attack Fueled by Gang Loyalty
The chilling chain of events was sparked by a prison text urging Momodu and his gang to “ride out” and attack people to prove their loyalty. On 26 April, the trio armed with knives and swords, wearing balaclavas, were driven in a stolen white SUV to Brenthouse Road, East London.
They targeted a grey Mercedes and pursued its occupants on foot, CCTV showed. Victim Joshua White ran toward a shop on Frampton Park Road, accidentally colliding with a six-year-old girl on roller skates. Despite checking the child was okay, Joshua was stabbed multiple times just yards from the shop entrance by Momodu and Isaac, with Kerrigan nearby.
Joshua later died in hospital after emergency services rushed to the scene.
Knife Rampage Continues: Second Victim Attacked
The killers didn’t stop there. After fleeing the shop, they spotted another man with his partner and young child in Wilton Way. They stabbed him multiple times as he tried to escape. Luckily, he survived.
Police quickly circulated the SUV’s registration. Armed officers gave chase, leading to a crash and the trio scattering, shedding clothes to avoid detection. Momodu was caught nearby; the others were later arrested.
McGivern’s flat was used as a gang base, and he helped dispose of evidence, earning his own arrest and conviction.
Community Reacts to Senseless Killing
“These three men went out that day with the clear intention to stab people. They didn’t care who, as long as it earned them respect and notoriety in their gang,” said Detective Sgt Andy Sheppard of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.
“Joshua was targeted at random. They attacked him in broad daylight, just yards from an innocent six-year-old girl. Then they went on to stab a second victim, also in front of a child, again for no reason.”
“There is no place for this mindless brutality on London’s streets. These young men thought they were building reputations but only cut lives short. The community is safer now knowing they’ll be behind bars for a long time.”
Joshua’s Family Speak Out
Joshua’s mother, Trisha Sargusingh, said: “My son Josh was a kind, loving, happy and caring son. His passing has left a hole in my heart that will never be filled. Coming to court has been so hard but we hope a strong sentence acts as a deterrent so no other family feels this pain.”
His father, Leigh White, added: “The conviction won’t bring Joshua back or ease our pain, but it gives us some comfort to start healing. This shameful killing should be a lesson to stop others carrying knives and risking innocent lives.”
