Drill rapper accused of teen murder

A drill rapper accused of murdering a 16-year-old boy appeared at the Old Bailey following his extradition from Kenya.

Former Southampton youth footballer Alex Smith was stabbed to death in Munster Square, Camden, north London, on August 12, 2019.

Siyad Mohamud, 23, who raps as Swavey, along with fellow drill rapper Tariq Monteiro, 21, who uses the stage name Suspect, were arrested in Nairobi on January 26.

The pair are alleged to have been part of a gang which followed Alex in cars before stabbing him to death in Munster Square, Camden.

Mohamud, of Barker Drive, Camden, appeared via video-link from HMP Wandsworth while Monteiro, of no fixed address, was ill and did not appear in court.

Prosecutor Deanna Heer said: ‘Both are charged with the murder of Alex Smith aged 16 years who was stabbed in a gang related incident back in 2019.

‘Following that these two defendants fled the jurisdiction and were returned just a few days ago when they were charged with this offence.

‘This was, the prosecution say, a gang related killing.

‘Members of the deceased’s group and the defendants’ group associated with known gangs.

‘On 12 August 2019 it is alleged that these two defendants were part of a group who pursued, located and then chased the deceased into Munster Square in north London where he was fatally stabbed.

‘Both men fled the jurisdiction very shortly after the killing and ended up in Nairobi…before being extradited back to the country.’

They were remanded in custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing on 20 April.