Third killer jailed for Catford murder of innocent man (From News Shopper)

Michael Ofori was murdered in Catford after a series of shootings in Sydenham and Brockley

10:30am Wednesday 16th May 2012 in Lewisham By Mark Chandler

A THIRD man has been found guilty and jailed for 26 years after murdering an innocent man during a series of tit-for-tat shootings across the borough.

Jules Brown, aged 25, of Newham, was convicted of murder yesterday (May 15) following the death of Michael Ofori in Catford two years ago.

Brown was the eyes and ears of a botched plan to murder a rival following a series of violent exchanges in Sydenham and Brockley.

But they killed the wrong man - Mr Ofori - whilst he sat in his car with his wife, shortly after midnight on June 23 2010 in Oslac Road.

As they chatted, a man approached the car on foot and fired three times. Mr Ofori was shot in the head and arm.

During Brown's trial, the Old Bailey jury heard that the intended victim of the shooting was in fact a man called Perry Walters, who had been lured to the area that night.

Detective Inspector Andy Muir from Trident said: "Their activities blighted local communities and on this occasion led them to the decision to plan and commit murder. Tragically they murdered Michael Ofori who was not their associate and was in wrong place at the wrong time.

"Michael's friends and family have been left devastated by his death and his young daughter has been left without her father.

"I hope that today's convictions go some way in providing them with comfort."

A fourth man, Nathaniel Valton, aged 24, of Adolphus Street, Deptford, was cleared of the killing. Both men had been tried for a second time after a jury last year failed to reach verdicts.

Brown's fellow murderers Allon-McVytie, aged 23, of Vanguard Street, Deptford, and Sahid Sule, aged 23, of no fixed address, were both jailed for 28 years last October.