‘Freddy Krueger’ hitman hired by Hackney Turks jailed for life for killing rival gang boss

Victim: Zafer Eren was shot dead outside his home in Southgate. Photograph: Metropolitan Police

A judge called for the end to one of London’s bloodiest feuds this week as he sentenced a hitman to life for the murder of Tottenham Boys gang boss Zafer Eren.

Jamie Marsh-Smith, nicknamed Freddy Krueger after the Nightmare on Elm Street killer, was hired by the Hackney Turks to kill rival boss Zafer Eren of the Tottenham Boys.

23 year-old Marsh-Smith, of no fixed address and his accomplice Samuel Zerei, 21 of Newington Green, were found guilty of the murder of Zafer Eren and were sentenced to life with minimum terms of 38 and 28 years respectively.

Marsh-Smith was also found guilty of the attempted murder of Inan Eren, Zafer’s cousin, and for the attempted murder of his accomplice and co-defendant Samuel Zerei.

Marsh-Smith attempted to shoot Samuel Zerei fearing he would not keep quiet about the murder of the Tottenham Turks gang boss, but he survived.

Baljit Ubhey, CPS London Chief Crown Prosecutor, said: “This case represents just one of a long list of incidents of gang war between the Tottenham Turks and the Hackney Turks in North London.

“These two gangs have been feuding for at least five years and their mutual hatred has caused unnecessary pain and bloodshed on both sides.

“The war between these gangs has resulted in murder, attempted murder, beatings, threats and damage to shops and clubs belonging to those perceived to be associated with them.

“Although those convicted today were not part of either gang, the evidence showed they had been hired on behalf of the Hackney Turks to attack persons associated with the Tottenham Turks.”

Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh, the senior investigating officer from the HMCC, said: “The conduct of Jamie Marsh-Smith and Samuel Zerei reads like something from a film. They accepted a contract to kill; they had no known dispute with their victim.

“Marsh-Smith and Zerei were professional and dangerous criminals. Marsh-Smith even tried to execute his getaway driver Samuel Zerei when he failed to dispose of the getaway car used in the murder of Zafer Eren.”

The police are offering a reward of up to £30,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Zafer Eren’s murder.