ADEOJO:TEENS DENY DISPOSING OF GUN USED TO SHOOT DEAD ATHLETE

Two teenagers today (Weds) denied disposing of a handgun allegedly used to shoot dead a promising youth athlete.

The boys, aged 15 and 17, are said to have taken possession of then got rid of the weapon on February 2 this year.

The firearm, a self-loading pistol, was used to kill 17-year-old Sylvester Akaplara on December 29 last year, it is claimed.

Sylvester, a 400m runner and member of the Herne Hill Harriers athletics club, was shot in the neck and chest in a stairwell on the Pelican Estate in Peckham, south London.

Two other youths suffered knife wounds in the same incident.

Five teenagers have already been charged with Sylvester’s murder and are set to face trial in October.

Today the two boys charged with firearms offences appeared before Judge Timothy Pontius QC via videolink from prison.

They both denied charges of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of a prohibited firearm and assisting an offender, by disposing of the weapon allegedly used by a 16-year-old to kill Sylvester.

They are set to stand trial with the five others Sodiq Adeojo, David Nyamupfukudza and Kenny Imafidon, all 18, and a 17-year-old and 16-year-old, who cannot be named because of their age.

The case is due to last up to six weeks.

The two boys, both from Peckham, southeast London, were remanded in custody.

Adeojo, of [70] Shurland Gardens, Peckham; Imafidon, of Bishop Wilfred Wood Close, Peckham; the 17-year-old and 16-year-old, both from Peckham; and Nyamupfukudza, of New Cross, south London, remain in custody.

ENDS.