On-The-Run: Fugitive In Dock Accused Of Somalian Group Murder

Stabbed: Gus Fenton

A suspected murderer, involved in a brutal street gang attack on a lone man walking to his local betting shop, fled to Holland to avoid justice, a court heard yesterday.

Ilyaas Maalin, 23, was one of five young men armed with knives and bats who killed 29 year-old Gus Fenton in Southall, west London, the jury were told.

At Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court Maalin has pleaded not guilty to murder and inflicting grievous bodily harm on Gus’s brother Elijah, 35, who came to his younger sibling’s aid.

Prosecutor Bill Emlyn-Jones told the trial Gus left his home on March 28, 2017 for his local betting shop.

“He was being followed by a group of five much younger men, specifically looking for him.

“Once they found him there was a short meeting that ignited into violence in broad daylight in a busy high street, crowded with pedestrians and drivers.

“Mr Fenton was chased and caught and he was punched and kicked, lasting a few seconds,” continued the prosecutor. “He was not seriously injured at that stage and the group of five headed off.”

Gus phoned his brother Elijah and began walking home, but was confronted by the same group a second time.

“They attacked him again and some had armed themselves and the attack was significantly more violent.”

By now Elijah had driven to the scene, explained Mr Emlyn-Jones. “He sees his brother attacked by the group armed with knives and bats and other objects.

“They turned their violence onto Elijah and he was stabbed, but Gus was not lucky, he had serious injuries six separate stab wounds.”

Sadly, Gus died the next morning.

“There is no dispute this defendant is one of the young men involved,” the prosecutor told the jury. “The extent of his involvement is for you.

“Within a few days of the murder the defendant went to Holland to avoid arrest and trial, the prosecution say.

“He was returned to the UK last year.”

The jury will view CCTV images of the attack during the trial.

“All five are acting together as a team, each playing a part by causing serious injuries or helping and encouraging those doing the stabbing and inflicting the injuries.

“The CCTV will show group violence by five friends acting together.”

Trial continues…………….