Killer was nicked in the trainers he wore when he shot man dead

A grime rapper who shot dead a rival in the street has been jailed for 32 years after he was linked to the killing by his tracksuit and trainers.

Roshane Watson, 25, made the mistake of wearing the garments in a ‘drill’ video uploaded to YouTube just a month before he gunned down Christopher George, 26.

He was caught on CCTV wearing the same clothes the day before the murder and when he was arrested he was still wearing the trainers he had on when he shot the victim in the chest in Sebastopol Road, Enfield.

George had driven to the scene in his Mercedes on 29 July 2020 and was spotted in Fore Street and followed by Watson and three others in an Audi and a BMW.

Prosecutor Louise Oakley told an earlier hearing that Watson got out of the Audi and shot George twice.

‘This defendant removed a firearm from a bag which was across his body and fatally shot the deceased.’

Forensic evidence linked 28-year-old Leo Donaldson, and his brother Nathaniel, 22, to the Audi.

After the shooting, the Audi was hidden and partially dismantled but police found it under a tarpaulin on 6 August 2020.

It was later discovered that Nathaniel Donaldson had hired the Audi using false identity documents.

Terrique Tomlin, 18, was also identified from a music video, part of which was filmed on the Fore Street Estate just metres away from the murder scene.

Gizem Ozbahadir, a 23-year-old woman, had been in contact with Watson and Tomlin throughout the day of the murder.

She hired the BMW and two other vehicles over a two month period using fraudulent driving and identification documents.

In a statement following the conviction of the five defendants, the family of Christopher George said: ‘Christopher was a loving son, a caring brother to his three siblings and a devoted father to his two young daughters, the youngest being only three months when he was killed.

‘We know that nothing will bring Christopher back, but seeing those responsible for his death being convicted brings a little bit of comfort and closure.

‘We would also like to thank God for his merciful help in helping us through the past difficult two years. Our faith and trust in the police and criminal justice system has been restored.’

Judge Noel Lucas said: ‘This was a murder in cold blood. The events immediately before Mr George was murdered demonstrates the calculated nature of his killing and are significant in determining the appropriate sentence to pass in this case.

‘Despite the wish on the part of Mr George’s family to know why their son and brother was killed in the way in which he was, none of the defendants has had the courage or grace to inform them.’

Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke said: ‘I am pleased that those responsible for this brutal crime will now spend a significant period of time behind bars.

‘Their convictions and sentencing are as a result of diligent, tenacious police work by a team of experienced homicide detectives.

‘Our investigation revealed a significant amount of planning and co-ordination that went into this attack; an attack to which none of those involved has given a reason for carrying out.

‘The actions of those involved has had a devastating impact on Christopher’s friends and family who must live for the rest of their lives dealing with the consequences of this senseless attack.’

Roshane Watson was jailed for 32 years for murder, 20 years for possession of a firearm with intent to engender life and four years for perverting the course of justice.

Ozbahadir of Waltham Cross, Herts was jailed for 23 years for murder.

Leo Donaldson of Haringey was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment, for manslaughter.

Terrique Tomlin, of Ilford was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment for manslaughter.

Nathaniel Donaldson, of Ponders End, was sentenced to ten months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, after admitting to fraud by false representation in relation to the hire of an Audi car used in the murder.