Refugee teenager to serve at least 30 years for two murders in 15 days
A teenager who murdered two women in two weeks was jailed for a minimum of 30 years at the Old Bailey today.
Roberto Malasi, 18, shot a woman as she cradled a baby at a christening party, then calmly robbed guests along with other gang members. Two weeks later, he stabbed to death the daughter of a pastor. At the time of that murder he had been boasting about the previous killing.
Passing sentence today, Mr Justice Gross said he would write to Home Secretary John Reid urging Malasi be deported after he serves his sentence. He came to Britain from Angola as a child when his parents sought asylum, and had been granted indefinite leave to remain.
The court has heard how in August 2005 Malasi led a gang of youths in an armed raid on a christening party at the Wood Dene Community Centre in Peckham. Zainab Kalokoh, 33 - who had to come to Britain to escape war in her homeland of Sierra Leone - was shot in the head as she held her niece. As she lay dying the gang rifled guests' handbags and wallets.
In September 2005, Malasi pulled student Ruth Okechukwu, 18, from a car in Red Lion Row, Walworth, and knifed her through the heart.
The day before her death, Miss Okechukwu had been with a friend who was talking to Malasi on the phone. Miss Okechukwu made a comment about him, but he overheard and considered it "disrespectful".
Malasi admitted he murdered her - but the court heard he has never admitted killing Ms Kalokoh. Although he had no previous convictions, Malasi had been in and out of care, rarely went to school and lived rough around the Peckham area.
Today three others in the gang that killed Ms Kalokoh - Diamond Babamuboni, 17, his brother Timy, 15, and Jude Odigie, 16, were sentenced to minimum terms of eight years detention after being convicted of manslaughter.
The Babamubonis, of New Cross, were also found guilty of robbery and possessing a firearm. Timy was found guilty of possessing ammunition without a licence
The family of Ms Kalokoh were too upset to talk as they left court - but police revealed they are furious that the sentences were not longer.
In court the judge had cast doubt on the Babamubonis' ages. Claiming to be younger than they really were would mean the judge had to impose a softer sentence than he would otherwise have done.
The brothers look far older than the ages they claim, provided forged birth certificates, and refused to take dental tests that would have proved they were telling the truth.
Diamond, who claims to be 17, has two children including a three-year-old boy. The brothers had entered Britain from Nigeria illegally with their mother.
Referring to the murder of Mrs Kalokoh, the judge said: "What you four did that night was evil."
He said the murder of Miss Okechukwu "was the more chilling, if that is possible, because it followed so closely the death of Mrs Kalokoh."
He recommended Diamond Babamuboni for deportation, but said he did not have the power to do so for Timy Babamuboni, Odigie - of Bermondsey - or Malasi.
He "strongly urged" Home Secretary John Reid to take action and ordered a copy of his sentencing remarks be passed to the head of immigration at the Home Office.
Speaking outside court her mother Pauline Okechukwu fought back tears as she called for Malasi to be deported.
She said: "Ruth was born and bred here, she was British, schooled here. I can't see why someone should come from another place who is an illegal immigrant and kill my daughter.
"She was a lovely girl, I love her so much and she will never be forgotten. He (Malasi) has not only taken Ruth's life but he has taken my life as well.
"Ruth had a future. He will go back to his own country and he will still be alive and my daughter is here no more."
Ben Okechukwu Miss Okechukwu's father and a pastor at the Celestial church in Peckham, described his daughter as a "gifted lady".
He said: "For me personally as a man of God I feel sorry for him and forgave him. There is no sense in belonging. He has been left behind by his parents.
"From a Christian point of view he does not know what his crimes are. There is no relationship between him and other men. He does not see human beings as human beings, he sees them as animals.
"He killed a girl that had a future. Ruth was her (Pauline's) baby. She does not feel very pleased with him and does not feel forgiveness."
And he pleaded for youths to stop using knives, saying: "They think the use of knives is a mature business, used to show off the dignity and status of a man.
"Of course I can't see the relationship between carrying a knife and the benefits of using it on a defenceless woman or defenceless man. Please think twice. Have respect and dignity for mankind and don't use knives."
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