Two callous would-be killers – one an expectant father - who plotted to murder a pregnant 15 year-old girl, dramatically rescued from a murky canal which was destined to be her watery grave, have been locked up.
Student and music producer Brandon Jolie, 19, feared fatherhood would destroy his promising career and hatched a chilling plan with student pal Kingsley Ogundele, 19, who smashed the victim over the head and held her underwater.
Jolie (pic l.) of Bute Street, Luton, Bedfordshire, was jailed for 14 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to murder and Ogundele (pic r.) of Retford Road, Romford, Essex, convicted by a jury of the charge, received 18 years.
Jolie, who produced an album for 'grime' rapper Tinchy Stryder, had his music used in a Nike advert and the Brit-flick Adulthood.
The Old Bailey heard the girl, who was 5 1/2 months pregnant, was lured to the Regent’s Canal, Islington, on November 12 by Jolie, where Ogundele pounced in the darkness, hitting her over the back of the head with a metal pole.
She fell to the ground and was punched and pushed into the canal by Ogundele, who held her underwater, until a startled passer-by – alerted by the girl’s screams – rushed to her aid.
Tour guide Andrew Hall pulled the victim out of the water and she was taken to a north London hospital suffering minor head injuries.
Fortunately, her unborn child was unharmed and the victim was discharged soon afterwards.
Officers from the Islington Police Community Safety Unit led by DI Helen Williams launched an investigation, involving liaison with computer experts.
On Ogundele's computer detectives disovered email chat between the defendants during which they calmly plotted to kill the victim whilst having a light-hearted conversation about popular TV shows and music.
Judge Paul Worsley QC told the pair: "You intended that not only would she die but her unborn baby would die too.
“The best years of your life are to be spent behind bars. This offence is not only a tragedy for the victim and her family but for your families too."
Detective Inspector Helen Williams from the Islington Police Community Safety Unit said: "Today's sentencing result reflects the severity of their crime.
“If it wasn't for the courageous intervention of a passer-by I strongly believe this would have been a murder investigation.
"The impact of this crime is immense. The victim was left extremely traumatised and there is also her child to consider.
“The offenders, particularly Jolie, had bright futures ahead of them which they have themselves destroyed.
"It's hard to comprehend the casual way in which Ogundele and Jolie callously plotted to kill the victim - all because they didn't want Jolie's aspirations of fame to be affected.
"That both Ogundele and Jolie have been convicted and jailed for a long time is testament to the police investigation - in particular the professionalism and dedication of our officers and the experts who assisted us."
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