The alleged assassination plot in Dalston, east London, led to a nine-year-old girl being shot in the head while she dined at a restaurant with her family
A suspected gang member ordered three pina coladas while scoping out a “planned assassination” at a Turkish restaurant, a court heard.
A nine-year-old girl who was dining with her family was shot in the head by a stray bullet aimed at three men outside the building. She survived, but jurors heard how she now faces “physical and cognitive difficulties throughout her life” after the bullet became lodged in her brain. The gunman fled on a Ducati Monster motorbike and has not yet been identified, but 33-year-old Javon Riley stands accused of four counts of attempted murder linked to the attack in Dalston, Hackney on May 29 last year.
Mustafa Kiziltan, Kenan Aydogdu and Nasser Ali, who were seated with others at a pavement table outside the busy restaurant, were also left with bullet wounds.
Prosecutors claim Riley carried out surveillance ahead of the hit, played a role in handling the weapon and acted as the escape driver.
Prosecutor James Mulholland, KC, described the shooting as a “planned assassination” in a long running rivalry between two gangs; the Tottenham Turks and the Hackney Turks.
Giving evidence at the Old Bailey, DC Martha Bourne told the jury Riley was using five different phones, including one “clean” phone to contact his family. He lived with his partner at an address in Tottenham but also rented a flat in Farnborough, Hampshire.
The Ducati used in the shooting was stolen in November 2021 from Wentworth Hill, Wembley, and later fitted with a false number plate, jurors were told. DC Bourne described it as a “loud, powerful” motorbike.
Jurors were also shown images of a burnt out Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan Juke found after the shooting. The two cars were reported stolen on May 17, 2024, and were also fitted with false plates.
CCTV footage captured the stolen bike moving through Hackney on May 2, the court heard. Four days later, Riley is alleged to have carried out reconnaissance on Evin restaurant in a Range Rover, driving past on four separate occasions, the court heard.
DC Bourne said Riley’s account was used at a shop opposite the restaurant on that date. She said he also went to German Kraft Beer opposite the restaurant and purchased a hot chocolate with coconut milk, three pina coladas, a Bacardi and an apple juice for £46.85. His table was at the front window of the bar giving a view of Evin restaurant.
Riley, of Green Street, Enfield, denies four counts of attempted murder and an alternative charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent relating to the girl. The trial continues.