Party Double-Killer Jailed For Life

A vicious New Year’s gunman who shot a reluctant DJ through the neck – also killing a fellow partygoer with the same bullet – is starting a life sentence for the double murder.

Ashley Kenton, 22 – known as DJ Creation – (pic.top) and Wayne Mowatt, 29, (pic.mid) were shot at the violent party in Shore Place, Homerton, East London on January 1, 2002.

Jobless Ian Davis, 33, (pic.bottom) of Bellefield Road, Brixton, South London fled to the USA afterwards and was eventually held at Long Beach Airport, California on August 7, 2003 for immigration offences and returned to the UK.

The Old Bailey heard Davis was annoyed Mr. Kenton refused to continue DJing the private party after several scuffles and shot him through the neck, with the bullet passing through a partition wall and striking Mr. Mowatt in the head.

Mr. Kenton, of Brookmill Road, Deptford, South-East London was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital and Mr. Mowatt, of Clapham Road, Clapham, South-West London died later that day.

After his arrest on September 18, 2003 Davis was convicted of the murders and sentenced to life imprisonment with a twenty-year minimum.

In 2008 The House of Lords quashed the conviction and ordered a retrial and Davis will now not be eligible for parole until 2023.

Detective Inspector Mark Gower of Trident – the police team who investigate violent black-on-black crime - said: “I would like to thank the victims’ families for their continued support throughout what has been a protracted and complex investigation and hope today’s result goes some way to providing them with an element of closure.

“I would also like to commend the witnesses for their bravery, especially given the majority gave evidence at the earlier trials.

“This case successfully utilised the new anonymity legislation in support of one witness and demonstrates Operation Trident’s commitment to ensuring justice prevails - no matter how much time has elapsed.”