Kerala-origin girl shot in London: 33-year-old convicted in gang attack; child left with bullet in brain

LONDON: A 33-year-old man has been convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent for his role in the shooting of a nine-year-old Keralite girl who was hit in the head while eating ice-cream with her family at a London restaurant.

The girl was struck by the first of six bullets fired from a passing stolen motorbike outside the Evin Turkish restaurant in Dalston at 9.20pm on 29 May last year. She was caught in the crossfire of a gangland attack. Javon Riley (33) of Tottenham, London, was also found guilty by a jury at the Old Bailey of attempting to murder three men - Mustafa Kiziltan (35) Kenan Aydogdu (45) and Nasser Ali (44) - who were sitting outside the restaurant and were the intended targets.

All four were taken to hospital for emergency surgery. The men had affiliations with Hackney Turks and the shooting was ordered by the Tottenham Turks, a rival gang, the court heard.

Both gangs are responsible for importing most of the UK's heroin. The child, whose parents are from Gothuruth in Ernakulam district and now live in Birmingham, spent three months in hospital. She has been left permanently injured, with a titanium plate in her skull and a bullet still in her brain.

She will continue to have physical and cognitive difficulties throughout her life. "This was not just an accident," her mother said after the verdict. "Even if our daughter was not the intended target, those responsible were still attempting to take lives, it is brutal and inhumane. We live with this pain every day, knowing nothing will ever be the same for our family." Riley denied the charges but was convicted on Monday following a three-week trial.

He did not pull the trigger but scoped out the area over several days, which included drinking pina coladas at the bar opposite. On the night of the attack, he travelled past the scene several times in a stolen car to ensure the targets were present and helped the gunman evade capture. The gunman and firearm have never been found. Detectives are offering up to £15,000 (Rs 17 lakh) for information that leads to the gunman. Riley, who is not a member of Tottenham Turks, refused to name the gunman or the person who ordered the shooting fearing for his safety. He will be sentenced on Sep 12.