Man who set up gangland shooting that left girl, 9, with bullet in brain jailed

A man who helped set up a botched hit for a Turkish gang that left a nine-year-old girl with a bullet lodged in her brain has been jailed for life.

Javon Riley, 33, played ‘a key role’ carrying out reconnaissance on the Evin restaurant in Dalston, east London, where the girl was hit by a stray bullet.

Three men linked to the Hackney Turks gang sitting at a nearby table were wounded.

Riley helped the gunman, who has not been found, evade capture after the shooting on May 29 last year.

Riley, linked to rivals the Tottenham Turks, was found guilty of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm after a trial at the Old Bailey.

He was jailed today at the same court by Judge Mark Lucraft KC, who told him he must serve at least 34 years before he can be considered for parole.

The nine-year-old girl spent three months in hospital and will suffer with life-long physical and cognitive problems as the bullet remains lodged in her brain.

The three male victims received gunshot wounds to the arm, leg and thigh.

Riley scoped out the restaurant, travelled past the scene to ensure the targets were present before the shooting and he helped the gunman evade capture (Picture: Met Police)

In a statement, the girl’s mum said: ‘In a single moment, the future we had imagined for our daughter was torn away.

‘She was once an energetic, adventurous child — everything that celebrated movement, energy, and life.

‘Now, weakness on her left side means she can only watch from the sidelines, living with a titanium plate in her skull and a bullet still in her brain.

‘As parents, we are shattered, emotionally, physically, mentally, and financially.

‘Each day brings new challenges, from her slower growth on one side to the emotional and mental scars that cannot be seen.

‘The world we once believed was safe for our child now feels frightening and uncertain.

‘This was not just an accident — even if our daughter was not the intended target, those responsible were still attempting to take lives.

‘It is brutal and inhumane.

‘We live with this pain every day, knowing nothing will ever be the same for our family.’

Forensic officers gather evidence at the scene in Dalston, east London (Picture: Marcin Nowak/LNP)

Detective Inspector Ben Dalloway, who led the investigation, said: ‘Javon Riley’s actions traumatically altered the trajectory of a little girl’s life. While this outcome serves as a slither of justice, the dangerous individual responsible for pulling the trigger remains on our streets.

‘Those who ordered this shooting are a highly sophisticated criminal organisation. We understand that people may be worried about talking to us because of this, but it is imperative we hear from anyone who can assist this investigation.

‘Justice must be secured for this little girl and her family.’

Scotland Yard has offered a reward of up to £15,000 for information that leads to the identification, arrest of and prosecution the man who fired the weapon.

During the three-week trial, Riley was repeatedly asked to identify the ‘third party’ who had recruited him for around £40,000.

He refused to name the man or help to identify the gunman, claiming he feared for his life at that of his family.

Riley had admitted carrying out reconnaissance, spotting for targets and picking up the gunman, but claimed he thought it was going to be a ‘smash and grab’ robbery.

He initially denied the gunman had said anything about what had happened when he picked him up.

The gunman has never been traced (Picture: Metropolitan Police/PA)

But later he admitted the man told him: ‘Shots have been fired. I need to get out of here.’

The court heard Jamaica-born Riley had a string of convictions dating back to 2008 including for possession of cannabis and cocaine, driving offences, and having an offensive weapon and a blade in his car.

In his evidence, he admitted being involved with stealing cars, drug dealing and robberies, although he said he had never been caught for those offences.

Riley’s connection with the Tottenham Turks gang was revealed in covert police recordings in the months after the shooting.

He was recorded talking about a man called Izzet Eren who was shot in Moldova on July 10 last year in what was believed to be a revenge attack.

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