A staff member working for the Prime Minister has been sentenced to jail for assaulting the father of a murdered teenager outside the Old Bailey.
Jeffrey Johnson, 24, attacked Adrian Gordon after Gordon had witnessed a group being sentenced for the killing of his 17-year-old son, Shea. The incident took place near the central London court in a planned assault involving Johnson, his brother (one of Shea’s killers), and three others, as per Inner London Crown Court.
During the sentencing, Recorder Margia Mostafa noted that Johnson intentionally worsened the distress of Mr. Gordon and his family by orchestrating the attack, fully aware of the recent tragic events.
Johnson, employed at Keir Starmer’s Chequers estate in Bucks, received a 26-month prison term for charges of affray and dangerous driving under the influence of cannabis. Despite previous convictions and ongoing legal issues, he has retained his position. His attorney mentioned Johnson’s aspiration to become a social worker. Another attacker, Deije Underwood, was sentenced to 18 months, while Daniel Akere awaits sentencing.
The violent incident, captured on CCTV on February 5 last year, occurred shortly after two individuals were sentenced to life imprisonment for Shea’s murder. Shea was fatally stabbed in September 2022 in east London, leading to convictions for manslaughter of Dainnan Witter-Cameron and Giovanni Addae-Johnson, Jeffrey’s brother.
Prior to the attack, tensions had escalated between the defendants’ associates and Shea’s friends and family. Johnson arrived at the court in a white Mercedes, parking illegally, before the assault unfolded.
Underwood and Akere, both aged 20, were armed with crutches, leading to a physical altercation with Mr. Gordon after the sentencing. The confrontation resulted in Mr. Gordon being struck multiple times, including being kicked in the head by Johnson. Underwood was rendered unconscious, leaving Mr. Gordon with facial and arm injuries.
Johnson’s reckless behavior continued post-assault as he engaged in a high-speed police chase while under the influence, resulting in additional charges. Both Johnson and Underwood were sentenced to 18 months for the affray, with Johnson receiving an extra eight months for dangerous driving.
Following the sentencing, Det Chief Insp Kev Ives of the City of London Police condemned the planned attack and praised the officers for preventing further harm. Underwood’s mother collapsed in the courtroom upon his arrest, requiring security intervention. Johnson, from Tottenham, was also disqualified from driving for over three years.
