A ruthless carjacker who stabbed a businessman to death for his prized Mercedes was jailed for at least 30 years today.
Rory Gordon, 23, knifed 32-year-old Harjinder Singh Bhurji when he refused to hand over the keys to the black SLK. Mr Bhurji bled to death in front of his friend, Kajal Bhardwa.
Gordon, a cannabis dealer with a previous conviction for robbery, stole the Mercedes to order after being promised just £1,000.
He was convicted by an Old Bailey jury of murder while getaway driver, Jae-don Fearon, 21, whose father was murdered in 2003, was convicted of manslaughter.
Judge Michael Topolski sentenced Gordon to life imprisonment with a minimum of 30 years and Fearon to 13 years’ imprisonment.
The judge said Mr Bhurji was passionate about cars and after securing a job at Mercedes Benz had won many awards.
He told Gordon he had killed Mr Bhurji in a “few moments of greed and brutality” and told Fearon he knew well the devastating effects of losing a loved one at the hands of a violent criminal.
Andre Campbell, Gordon’s 23-year-old cousin, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for two years for selling Mr Bhurji’s mobile for £100.
On September 13, 2011 they spotted Mr Bhurji’s car with its personalised numberplate and followed him until he parked in Stoneleigh Road, Clayhall.
While Fearon waited in the getaway vehicle, Gordon approached and dragged Miss Bhardwa out before demanding the keys. He threatened Miss Bhardwa, 25, before stabbing Mr Bhurji after a struggle and then driving off.
Gordon, of Bow, admitted stabbing Mr Bhurji, but claimed he did not mean to kill him.
Fearon, of Manor Farm Drive, Chingford, denied murder and was convicted of the lesser offence of manslaughter. Campbell, of Aldriche Way, Chingford, was convicted of handling stolen goods.
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