Masked attackers with swords struck down man, 29, in front of girl on roller skates, court hears 

Masked attackers armed with swords and knives struck down man, 29, in front of young girl on roller skates as he fled down street in north London, court hears

  • Joshua White, 29, was fatally stabbed in Hackney, north London, April 26 2019  
  • He sought refuge in Frampton Foods shop where he was stabbed in the chase
  • As group entered the store a girl, six, on roller skates was knocked to ground
  • Minutes later Rikkardo Butler suffered superficial stab wounds, the court heard

A man was struck down by masked attackers armed with swords and knives in front of a six-year-old girl on roller skates, a court has heard.

Joshua White, 29, was chased along a street in Hackney, north-east London, on the afternoon of April 26 2019, the Old Bailey was told.

As he sought refuge in Frampton Foods, a corner shop, he was fatally stabbed and collapsed soon afterwards.

A school girl on pink roller skates, who was waiting for her father outside the store, was sent flying and was knocked to the floor during the chase, jurors heard.

Prosecutor Jonathan Higgs QC told the court: ‘They chased Joshua White towards Frampton Foods, knocking the six-year-old girl flying in the process.

Joshua White, 29, (pictured) was chased along a street in Hackney, north-east London, before being fatally stabbed on the afternoon of April 26 2019, the Old Bailey was told

‘I can assure you nothing happens to her other than she gets knocked to the floor, although of course she is right in the middle of events.’

Jurors were shown CCTV images which captured the attack on Mr White, with two of the three masked men acting in a ‘pincer’ movement.

Afterwards, they made off in a white Ford car as police were alerted by members of the public.

Minutes later, Rikkardo Butler was allegedly targeted as he walked with his partner, pushing a baby in a pram nearby.

Police at the scene on Frampton Park Road in Hackney, London after a stabbing on April 26 2019

Police at the scene on Frampton Park Road in Hackney, London after a stabbing on April 26 2019

A forensics tent is seen outside of the food shop where Mr White was fatally stabbed

A forensics tent is seen outside of the food shop where Mr White was fatally stabbed

He ran away, having suffered superficial stab wounds, the court heard.

The attackers’ car was driven off at high speed, pursued by police, then crashed into parked vehicles.

Theo Momodu, 18, was caught, while the others made their way to the home of Harley McGivern, where they changed their clothes, the court was told.

It is claimed that Momodu carried out the ‘carefully thought-through expedition’ with Taylar Isaac and David Kerrigan, both aged 20.

As Mr White sought refuge in Frampton Foods (pictured) he was fatally stabbed, he collapsed soon afterwards

As Mr White sought refuge in Frampton Foods (pictured) he was fatally stabbed, he collapsed soon afterwards

A forensic investigator at the scene on Frampton Park Road in Hackney, London after the stabbing

A forensic investigator at the scene on Frampton Park Road in Hackney, London after the stabbing

Mr Higgs suggested that a text message recovered from Momodu’s phone shed light on a possible motive.

In it, the defendant was allegedly instructed to get ‘new ygs to get someone down’ or they would be all be ‘de-recruited’.  

Kerrigan and Isaac deny murdering Mr White together with Momodu, who has admitted the charge, the jury were told.

All three defendants, from Hackney, deny the attempted murder of Mr Butler and wounding him with intent.

McGivern, also from Hackney, denies perverting the course of justice. 

The trial continues tomorrow.