Walthamstow Gangsters Jailed for Life Over Young Dad’s Murder
Two men and a 16-year-old boy from a notorious Walthamstow gang have been locked up for life after the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Joseph Williams-Torres.
Deadly Mistake: Joseph Shot in Gang Feud Mix-up
Joseph was gunned down on the evening of 14 March 2018 while listening to music in a van with a friend in Essex Close, Walthamstow. Three masked men tried to open the passenger door and when Joseph fought back, one pulled a gun and fired multiple shots.
Despite staggering out of the van and being given first aid, Joseph died about an hour later from gunshot wounds to his chest and legs.
Life Sentences Handed Down at Old Bailey
- Hamza Ul-Haq, 21, got life with a 28-year minimum. He also received seven years for an attempted aggravated burglary in 2017.
- Loic Nengese, 19, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 21 years.
- The 16-year-old gang member faces a life term with an 18-year minimum.
All three were convicted on 2 December at the Old Bailey. CCTV and a dropped phone helped pin the suspects.
Gang Ties and Violent History
Detectives revealed the killers mistook Joseph for a rival gang member amid an ongoing feud. Joseph himself had no gang links but had prior altercations between associates.
The gang was involved in violent crime, including a 2017 attempted burglary armed with machetes and firearms. Another man, Wayne Russell, also sentenced today, played a part in this violent spree.
Family Heartbreak and Call for Justice
“Joseph never deserved to die and we will never be able to forgive those responsible,” said his father Tony. “Our hearts are forever broken. A part of our lives ended when they took our Joseph.”
Joseph had been planning his 21st birthday trip to Sweden. Instead, his life was cut brutally short in a case of mistaken identity.
Detective Sergeant Ian Valentine said: “This kind of violent behaviour had become their normality and they are now rightly behind bars and off the streets. If you know someone involved in gang activity or weapon carrying, contact Crimestoppers or fearless.org – help us stop more lives being ruined.”
