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Teenage Gangster Sentenced to Life with Minimum of 29 Years for Murder of Innocent Mother.
A 17-year-old gang member, Joshua Alexander, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 29 years at the Old Bailey after being convicted of the murder of Lianne Gordon, 42, in a gang-related shooting in Hackney, north-east London.
Alexander, whose date of birth is February 15, 2006, was also sentenced for multiple other crimes, including attempted murder and drug offences, all linked to his violent criminal activities. Judge David Aubrey KC delivered the sentence, describing the case as a:
"Tragic consequence of Gang Warfare."
The Shooting and other Crimes:
On the evening of December 5, 2023, Alexander fired a gun through the front door of Ms. Gordon’s home in Hackney, striking her in the head. Ms. Gordon, a mother of two, had just returned from a holiday in Jamaica and was attempting to protect her children from the violence outside. Tragically, she was not the intended target but a victim of an escalating feud between rival gangs in the area.
Outside the house, Alexander had also shot at two males—a 17-year-old boy and a 21-year-old man—injuring both. These victims were believed to be associated with a rival gang. Jurors heard that the shooting was the culmination of tensions between the Pembury Gang, with which Alexander was affiliated, and their rivals.
Ms. Gordon died at the scene from a single gunshot wound to the head. The two injured men were taken to hospital but survived.
The Sentencing
Alexander was sentenced as follows:
- Murder of Lianne Gordon:** Life imprisonment with a minimum of 29 years.
- Attempted murder of two male victims on December 5, 2023:
14 years for each count, to be served concurrently.
- Attempted murder at Hackney Central Station on March 1, 2023:
16 years, to be served concurrently.
- Affray (December 2, 2023):
Two years detention and training order, concurrent.
- Possession of a blade (December 2, 2023):
Two years detention and training order, concurrent.
- Possession of a firearm (December 2, 2023):
Three years, concurrent.
- Possession with intent to supply cocaine and heroin:
30 months for each charge, to be served concurrently.
The sentences for the lesser offences will run concurrently with the murder sentence.
Judge Aubrey emphasized Alexander’s lack of remorse, pointing to self-congratulatory rap lyrics found in his prison cell. These lyrics, composed in January 2024, glorified the crimes, referring to Ms. Gordon’s murder and other acts of violence. One line read:
“AK mum got wigged,”
(a reference to Ms. Gordon’s son, Kaymound Gordon, who was known by the nickname “AK.” )
Addressing Alexander, Judge Aubrey said:
"You murdered an innocent woman who was behind her front door in her own home. Her home should have been a sanctuary, a place of safety. It was, however, where she met her death at your hands while you were in possession of a firearm."
The judge described Alexander as being:
"on a mission" to kill members of a rival gang and condemned his glorification of the crime in his lyrics.
"You have shown no remorse whatsoever. Your actions have devastated Ms. Gordon’s family and caused unimaginable grief."
In powerful victim impact statements, Ms. Gordon’s family members described their profound loss. Her twin sister, Louise Gordon, said:
"I feel like I have lost my other half. She had nothing but love for me, as she did for everyone who was lucky enough to be in her circle. This gun crime has ripped a hole in my family, and there is nothing we can do about it."
Ms. Gordon’s mother, Ella Leatham, said:
"I hope he rots in jail for the rest of his days. It has still not sunk in that I will never see Lianne again."
Her younger sister, Sakara Campbell, addressed Alexander directly in court, saying:
"You are a different kind of evil. You killed an innocent woman and showed no remorse. I hope while you sit in your cell, you really think about your life and the choices you made."
Prosecutor Mark Fenhalls KC told the court the shooting was the result of an ongoing dispute between Hackney gangs. He highlighted Alexander’s role as a "dangerous individual" with no hesitation in using firearms.
The court heard that forensic evidence linked the firearm used in Ms. Gordon’s murder to an earlier shooting on December 2, 2023, near Vine Close, where Alexander fired shots but caused no injuries.
Alexander’s Criminal History
Alexander had a series of prior convictions dating back to age 15, including attempted murder in an incident at Hackney Central railway station on March 1, 2023. During this meticulously planned attack, the victim was stabbed five times and shot in the leg at point-blank range. Despite being on bail for this crime, Alexander continued his violent rampage.
Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke, who led the investigation, said:
"Alexander is a dangerous individual, who at just 16 years old had no qualms about carrying and using a deadly weapon. We are pleased he has been brought to justice and that he will now spend a significant period behind bars. Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of Lianne Gordon, a mother of two who was shot dead for reasons we may never fully understand."
ACCESS TO THE LAW: Understanding the Crime and Sentencing
As part of our campaign to improve citizens’ access and understanding of UK Criminal law, we will be explaining the relevant UK legislation surrounding any case law relevant to our articles:
In the UK, sentencing reflects both the severity of the crime and the principles of justice. Below is a breakdown of the relevant laws applied to this case:
1. Murder:
Under the Homicide Act 1957, murder carries a mandatory life sentence. The minimum term—29 years in this case—reflects aggravating factors, including the use of a firearm, the victim’s innocence, and the deliberate nature of the attack.
2. Attempted Murder:
Attempted murder is charged under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. In determining the 16- and 14-year concurrent sentences for the separate attempted murders, the court considered the deliberate intention to kill and the harm caused.
3. Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life:
Possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life is a grave offence under the Firearms Act 1968, often resulting in lengthy prison terms. The concurrent three-year sentence for this offence reflects its connection to the fatal shooting.
4. Affray:
Affray is an offence under the Public Order Act 1986, defined as using or threatening violence in a way that causes others to fear for their safety. The two-year detention and training order reflects its seriousness but recognizes it as a lesser crime compared to murder.
5. Possession of a Bladed Article:
Possession of a knife or bladed article in a public place without good reason is a criminal offence under the Criminal Justice Act 1988. The two-year detention order demonstrates the court’s firm stance on weapons offences, which are often linked to gang violence.
Sentencing in this case underscores the judiciary's commitment to addressing gang violence and its devastating impact on individuals and communities. For more details on UK laws and sentencing guidelines, visit the Sentencing Council for England and Wales website.
The Sentencing of Joshua Alexander brings closure to a tragic case that has left a family grieving and a community shaken. While the punishment ensures he will be behind bars for decades, it offers little solace to those mourning the loss of Lianne Gordon, a mother whose life was taken in an act of senseless violence.
Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.
Bénédict Tarot Freeman
Editor-at-Large
VPN City-Desk
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