Footballers 'chased Agnes murder trial witness to get revenge'(Evening Standard)

[MOR :]

Two footballers were among a gang who chased a "hero" to take revenge after he helped put a teenage girl's killers behind bars, a court heard.

Former England youth international Bradley Woods-Garness, 25, and Leyton Orient defender Elliot Omozusi, 22, were among six men who pursued the witness for giving evidence in a high-profile murder trial. Omozusi has also played for Premier League clubs Fulham and Norwich.

The footballers and four other alleged London Fields Boys gang members are on trial for attempted revenge.

Jurors heard that the witness, 18, gave evidence against two of the gang, Leon Dunkley and Mohammed Smoured, both 22, at their murder trial in April.

They were convicted and jailed for life for shooting dead 16-year-old Agnes Sina-Inakoju in a Hoxton takeaway.

Agnes was shot in the neck with a sub-machinegun and died from her injuries two days later. The witness, who cannot be named, helped police track down her killers after his house was raided in the aftermath of the shooting.

His family were then moved from east London under a witness protection programme and given new identities.

But a chance encounter with the six alleged gang members on a night out in Liverpool left him in fear for his life, Snaresbook crown court was told. Christopher Hehir, prosecuting, said the witness was queuing outside a nightclub when he was approached in the early hours last May.

He was chased until he ran into the arms of a uniformed police officer, screaming: "They're going to kill me."

Mr Hehir said: "The officer had seen all of them running and they were out of breath. When Omozusi was asked why he was running after the witness, he said they weren't and they were just having a laugh." But far from a laugh, they planned to attack him, he said.

"You would think it was no exaggeration to describe the witness as a hero," said the prosecutor.
"But some misguided people would loathe him for what he did. They would think of him as a grass or a snitch."

Woods-Garness, of Islington, and Omozusi, of Grays, Essex, both deny one count of attempted revenge.

Also pleading not guilty are Nash Walsh-Drew, 23, of Woolwich, Jamal Francis, 21, and Shane Drew, 22, both from Hackney, and Andre Osbourne, 20, of Woodford Green, Essex.

Dunkley and Smoured, both of Hackney, were each jailed for a minimum of 32 years in April for the murder. The trial continues.

[sunburywhite]

It would seem Omozusi lacks pace, is that why we got rid of him?

[aFFCn_Fan]

That is possibly one of the worst written stories I've ever read. I was actually in a good mood but this has just annoyed me. Please tell me this isn't the standard of reporting in the British Press. It looks like it's been written by a 16 year old on work experience.

"on trial for attempted revenge." - is that a real felony? We certtainly didn't cover it when I studied A-Level Law. In fact, is running after someone even a crime?

"His family were then moved" - even though a family is a collective of people, it's a singular unit, so "His family was then moved" is correct

"He was chased until he ran into the arms of a uniformed police officer, screaming: "They're going to kill me."" - is this Mills and Boon?

"when he was approached in the early hours last May." - surely you get approached in the early hours of a specific day/date, rather than a month

"Mr Hehir said: "The officer had seen all of them running and they were out of breath. When Omozusi was asked why he was running after the witness, he said they weren't and they were just having a laugh." But far from a laugh, they planned to attack him, he said." - The officer had seen all of them, as a statement from a qualified lawyer, surely 'saw' would be better. And too confusing at the end, to many repitions of 'he said' meaning different people

D- try harder next time

[TonyGilroy]

It's a free paper that makes its money from advertising. The news budget won't extend beyond a couple of minimum wage wanabees.

I think we may now know why Omusuzi did not become the player we hoped he'd be.

[Alternative]

We are well shot of Omozusi judging by the company he keeps.