Four jailed for murder of Hoxton teenager Marcel Addai

Marcel Addai died of multiple stab wounds after he was attacked. Photograph: Metropolitan Police

Four gang members who murdered a Hoxton teenager in a “swift and savage” knife attack have been sentenced to a total of 97 years in jail.

Marcel Addai, 17, bled to death after being stabbed 14 times at St John’s Estate, Pitfield Street in September last year.

His death was the result of a bitter gang rivalry between the Hoxton Boys gang, which Marcel belonged to, and the Fellows Court gang.

Three of Marcel’s killers – Sheku Jalloh, 23, Rikell Rogers, 21, and Sodiq Adebayo, 23 – were sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison. Momar Faye, 19, was sentenced to a minimum of 22 years.

The four men had travelled to the estate in a convoy of cars late at night on 4 September, intent upon causing violence. Upon their arrival, Marcel tried to run away but fell to the ground where he was kicked, punched and stabbed multiple times.

Delivering the sentences at the Old Bailey on 17 May, Judge Rebecca Poulet QC said: “Against the whole history of these two gangs, the deliberate journey into Hoxton Boy territory and your swift and savage actions that night, the jury were sure in the case of the four of you that you had violence in your minds.

“You all knew knives had been taken to the scene in case of an outbreak of violence.

“This is yet another example of the terrible grip gang culture has on young men who embrace it.”

She added: “Your conduct before and after the killing – and through the trial – shows a ruthlessness as well as a complete lack of remorse.

“You have shown throughout a cruel disregard for the pain Marcel Addai will have suffered that night and the continuing anguish of his family.”