Woodford Green ice-cream parlour owner was ‘ordered dead’ by jealous father

“Rarely has the value of a human life been set lower than that” of a Woodford Green business owner who was shot in broad daylight, a court heard on Friday.

A jealous father ordered James Bryant, 24, dead after the caf� owner was seen out in public with his young son, the Old Bailey was told.

Mr Bryant, the former owner of the Cakes and Shakes ice cream parlour, was twice shot at the High Road store on November 14 and was lucky to survive the attack.

Romain Arthur, 23, of Hazel Way, Chingford, enlisted Temidire Owolabi, 21, of Chafford Hundred, Essex, to attack the business with a shotgun, it was said.

Arthur had become enraged after Mr Bryant was seen in public with his son on November 12, the court heard.

Richard Horwell, prosecuting, said: “To some the value of a life can be set very low.

“[Arthur] made it clear that a lesson would have to be learned.

“Later that same day he caused [Owolabi] to go to Bryant’s cafe.

“Once there, he discharged a shotgun through the front window.”

Mr Bryant was “unshaken by the attack” and posted a Facebook message mocking the tactics which led to a “planned and carefully targeted assassination”.

Two days later, when Mr Bryant was at the shop with his mother, business partner and manager cleaning up the wreckage, Owolabi returned with a 9mm pistol, it was said.

Mr Horwell said: “He opened the front door to the cafe, walked inside and shot Mr Bryant at very close range.”

Mr Bryant spent two months in hospital.

Owolabi denies attempted murder and two counts of possessing a firearm with intent.

Arthur denies two counts of perverting the course of justice and both men deny conspiracy to murder.

The trial continues.