James Gbadamosi, 67, ‘killed for telling a child not to ride Lime bike on the pavement’

A pensioner was murdered because he told a child to stop riding a Lime bike on the pavement, a court heard.

James Gbadamosi, 67, was punched by Andre Wright-Walters, 37 after a woman who was with the child called him to the scene.

Mr Gbadamosi fell to the ground suffering fatal injuries in the incident
on Balham High Road, south west London on 24 August.

Police attended and Mr Gbadamosi was taken to hospital where he died two weeks later on 5 September.

Prosecutor Ben Holt told the Old Bailey: ‘The incident took place a little after 3pm.

‘Mr Gbadamosi was with his partner outside Costa Coffee on Balham High Road and became upset about a young boy cycling a Lime bike on the pavement.

‘He told him he shouldn’t be on the pavement and should be on the road and then had an exchange with a woman who said “you think you’re a big man shouting at a child”.

‘She walked away and sat down on a bench and made a telephone call, she called this defendant.

‘Later Mr Wright-Walters walked to Balham High Road and confronted the deceased.

‘Reference was made to the interaction with the woman and the child and the defendant punched and slapped Mr Gbadamosi and then he punched him twice in the face knocking him to the floor and he hit his head on the pavement.

‘Mr Wight-Walters and the woman left the scene.

‘Mr Wright-Walters and the woman were arrested on 27 August and during a search of their home cocaine was located.’

Bearded Wright-Walters, of Avery Hill, Greenwich, appeared at the Old Bailey  via video link from HMP Wandsworth charged with murder.

He spoke to confirm his name and date of birth wearing a grey jumper.

Wright-Walters was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a Class A drug on 27 August.

He appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court and was given bail.

He was rearrested on 6 September following Mr Gbadamosi’s death and charged with murder.

A 30-year-old woman was also arrested on 27 August on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.

She was re-arrested on Saturday, 6 September for conspiracy to commit murder and has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Judge Sarah Munro, KC, remanded Wright-Walters in custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing on 26 November.

A provisional three week trial date was set for 26 May.

Mr Gbadamosi’s family are being supported by specialist officers.

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