'Scary clown mask' rapper who waved gun at police during car chase jailed for 23 years

‘I was in fear - what was happening was overwhelming,’ police officer tells court

A drill rapper who donned a “frightening” clown mask and pointed a shotgun at officers during a police chase has been jailed for 23 years.

Lekan Akinsoji, 21, also known as CB, and three other men were pursued by officers after they embarked on a “ride out” to target gang rivals in east London in a stolen BMW, the Old Bailey heard.

Akinsoji was caught on camera waving a gun out of the window as they drove through narrow residential streets at up to 60mph.

The defendants were found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.

On Friday they were each jailed by Judge Mark Dennis QC to 23 years plus three years on extended licence.

Metropolitan Police officers opened fire during the chase, believing their lives were in danger, jurors were told.

In dramatic dashcam footage played in court, an officer could be heard shouting: “Gun. Gun. They’ve got a gun. They are pointing a long barrelled weapon at us.”

The chase came to an end when the BMW was driven the wrong way down a one-way street in Leytonstone. Akinsoji emerged from the car wearing a “frightening” clown mask and all four gang members were wearing gloves and had their faces either partially or fully covered.

Police seized an arsenal of weapons, including a loaded sawn-off shotgun, two lock knives, an axe, a machete, a hunting knife and a zombie knife.

Lekan Akinsoji, 21 (SWNS.COM)

Officers described the terrifying July 2018 incident. One told the court: “I was in fear. What was happening was overwhelming.”

Akinsoji was linked to the Woodgrange or “E7” gang from Forest Gate in east London, the jury was told.

The court heard before the ride out, Akinsoji had posted a drill rap video on YouTube that referenced gang culture and rivalry with the E11 gang.

He was on trial alongside Nathaniel Lewis, 23, Darnell Joseph-Newill, 21, who went by the rap name D Boy, and Troy Ifill, 22.

Gun and zombie knife found in car by police investigating four east London men (PA)

They were said to be associated with east London gangs who had formed an alliance under the name “Northside Newham”.

Prosecutor Anthony Orchard QC had told a jury the defendants had armed themselves and set out in the stolen car to cause really serious injury or death to a rival gang.

The judge said the defendants, who all had previous convictions, had armed themselves with lethal weapons and made a “determined attempt” to cause ”extreme violence”.

Axe found by police investigating the case (PA)

The judge also told the defendants: “You are all comparatively young men. However, over a long period you had been attracted by and engaged in an urban culture that embraced violence and blights communities.”

He imposed the lengthy jail sentences in spite of a plea by one defence barrister for a “measure of mercy”.

Mitigating for Ifill, Sam Stein QC said: “We are in these courts locking up too many young black men in circumstances all too similar.”

He said jail seemed not to be achieving a deterrent effect on young men in the community.

Detective Chief Inspector Jane Topping, from Operation Trident unit, said: “I am very pleased with the substantial sentences these men have been ordered to serve today. These are extremely dangerous men with strong gang affiliations, as was recognised by the judge.

“Given the weapons they had with them, including a firearm and zombie knives, I have no doubt that their intention was to seriously injure or kill someone.”

Additional reporting by Press Association