A teenager who stabbed a motorcyclist to death while making a music video has been sentenced to life in prison.
Brandon McNeil was given a minimum of 24 years to carry out the brutal attack on Shane Jerome, 23, who was riding his motorbike in Brixton, south London, on July 21 last year.
Old Bailey learned that Mr. Jerome was part of a convoy of vehicles, including the green and red Lamborghinis, that appeared in the film by rap artist Chariffe Greaves, also known as ” Reef “.
However, McNeil, 19, ran to Mr. Jerome while armed with a knife and stabbed him in the chest, piercing his heart.
He also turned the blade on a second man in a quad that was also part of the convoy near Brixton Underground Station.
Mr Jerome of Thornton Heath, south London, was pronounced dead at the scene that night.
Image: Shane Jerome, 23, was riding his motorcycle in Brixton when he was stabbed to death. Image: Met Police
At her sentencing hearing, Judge Sarah Munro told the court how McNeil was involved with the local “7” or “L” band and “must” have believed that those involved in the video were related to rivals.
However, there was no evidence that it was.
As he handed down the sentence, he said, “Nothing I can do today can go back to Shane or cure the pain and pain of a lifetime that you have inflicted on his family and loved ones.”
She told the court that McNeil had made several recordings and photos in which he raped about killing and played with knives, which were discovered by police.
She said: “You’ve made recordings in which you’ve recorded rap lyrics that glorify carrying knives and using them to kill your rivals. One of these videos was uploaded less than a week before the murder.
“Your Instagram account is in the name of your gang and contains photos of you proudly stabbing yourself in the known territory of the gangs, as well as the weapon you used to kill Shane.
“Even scarier, a week after the murder, three videos were recorded on your phone where you played with knives and boasted of your skill with them. A fourth video was of the murder scene after the murder. they sent you. “
“You’ve taken away the most precious gift”
Mr. Jerome’s family sat in court and wept during the proceedings.
Several of them also remained as McNeil, of Lollard Street, Vauxhall, south London, was convicted.
Several relatives testified in court, including his mother Dawn, who shared how the murder had left him in “unbearable pain.”
She told McNeil, “I feel like you’re not fit for society. You’ve taken away the most precious gift any mother could have, my son.”
Mr. Jerome’s longtime girlfriend, Seleka Gathercole, told the judge how she had seen him die and was now suffering from flashbacks.
He had known Shane for eight years and planned to marry and raise a family, according to the court.
Addressing McNeil, he said, “You had no right to take the action you did that day.”