Jealous father ‘ordered’ hit on Woodford Green milkshake parlour owner over Facebook humiliation
A jealous father ordered the owner of the Cakes and Shakes milkshake parlour in Woodford Green dead for humiliating him on Facebook, a court heard today.
Romain Arthur, 23, of Hazel Way, Chingford, allegedly targeted the former owner of the business James Bryant for daring to carry Arthur’s two-year-old son in public.
Arthur and Temidire Owolabi, 22, of Chafford Hundred, Essex, have both denied conspiracy to murder at the Old Bailey.
Owolabi was convicted in May of attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life in relating to the shooting at the parlour on November 14 last year.
Mr Bryant suffered injuries to his lung, bowel, kidney and liver and spent the next two-and-a-half months in hospital following the daytime shooting.
The court has heard that Arthur recruited Owolabi to blow out the window of the caf�.
But Bryant responded to the intimidation by posting on his Facebook page, “You’re popping but no one’s dropping so you ain’t shooting right”, it is claimed.
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Jurors heard that CCTV footage shows Owolabi entering the shop on November 14, shooting the victim twice and then running off towards a waiting getaway car.
“He completed his mission with remarkable speed and efficiency,” said prosecutor Richard Horwell QC.
The court heard the dispute began after Mr Bryant was seen with Arthur’s ex-partner Sade Lasisi and his two year-old son RJ at the Westfield shopping centre on November 12 last year.
The prosecution claims mobile phone records show Arthur and Owolabi were both involved in the plot against Mr Bryant.
At an earlier trial, Owolabi was cleared of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life in relation to the shooting on November 12 and Arthur was cleared of two counts of perverting the course of justice.
The trial continues.
