Teenager found guilty of murdering Jaydon McFarlane in Ashford drugs gang war

An 18-year-old is facing being detained for life after being convicted of the brutal drugs war murder of a rival.

Osita Alagbaoso, of Hoppers Way, Ashford was found guilty by a jury after four days of deliberations.

But they acquitted his friend Joseph Matimba of Arlington, of murder and wounding with intent - and he will be senteneced later for attempting to pervert the course of justice

The killing happened after the prosecution told how "gang warfare" had spilled onto the streets of Ashford.

Victim Jaydon McFarlane, 19, had been struck through the chest with a knife as rival gangs in the town traded insults and threats.

Prosecutor Richard Barraclough QC told Maidstone Crown Court: "This was gang warfare on the streets of Ashford.

"It started with a stabbing on January 25 last year..and ended in the stabbing to death of Mr McFarlane on March 14."

Alagbaoso and Matimba had both denied murder in March last year.

The prosecutor said Mr McFarlane's killing was "a planned orchestrated revenge stabbing" after the rival gangs Kblock and NPB (No Plan B) exchanged threats.

The incident began with the stabbing of a teenager in January last year by Alagbaoso, who used a 14-inch blade to inflict a leg wound on his victim.

Matimba had admitted a wounding charge.

He claimed the three "used to be friends" but fell out after an allegation Matimba used fake £20 notes to buy drugs.

The jury was told that the falling out led to a man, Kaseem Ibrahim, being stabbed in Memorial Gardens while sitting on a park bench with two friends.

Mr Barraclough said that led to gang members exchanging threats before Mr McFarlane was confronted as he carried out a drugs deal in Clockhouse.

Alagbaoso, who was armed with two knives including a Rambo-style weapon, was walking in the area.

The prosecutor said: "It was at 12.25pm that Alagbaoso saw McFarlane and ran towards him.

"McFarlane fell to the ground and Alagbaoso stabbed him twice. The knife broke leaving the blade caught up in McFarlane's clothing and the handle fell to the ground.

"McFarlane managed to get up and ran away towards Clockhouse, pursued by Alagbaoso, who was carrying a Rambo-style knife."

The prosecutor added that Alagbaoso chased him into a small residents' car park where he produced the Rambo knife but put it away after he was spotted by someone in a car.

An hour later Mr McFarlane died after one of the knife wounds had gone through his chest cavity, cutting the edge of the spine and rib before entering the left lung.

The prosecutor claimed that four minutes after the killing Alabaoso was caught on CCTV cameras heading to Victoria Park and then onto KFC.

Later Hassan Tejan, 25, of Crownfield Road, collected him and drove him to Canterbury. He was convicted of perverting the course of justice by lying to police.

Alagbaodo will be sentenced in August after the preparation of reports. He was remanded in custody. The other two will also be sentenced later.

Trial judge Judge David Griffith-Jones QC praised the jury.

Detective Chief Inspector Gavin Moss, senior investigating officer for the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "This case shows how gang associations and messages on social media can so tragically turn to acts of serious violence and murder.

"The death of the victim in this case is a tragedy which will have an everlasting impact on his family and friends.

"The meticulous investigation carried out by officers following the incident led to the quick arrest of those involved and the detailed evidence gathered by investigators has led to the guilty pleas and guilty verdicts.

"I would like to thank the victim's family for their support and witnesses who came forward to give evidence at this trial."