Chatsworth Road shooting: Christopher Erunse jailed for manslaughter of ‘friend’ Moses Fadairo

Bradley Wynter (Image: Archant)

Christopher Erunse, 28, of Chalcombe Road, Abbey Wood, killed Moses Fadairo, 25, in Chatsworth Road, Lower Clapton, on September 26 last year.

The younger Fadairo, a new father of twin boys, was pronounced dead at the scene from a gunshot wound to his heart, while the elder escaped unscathed.

Sentencing him today at the Old Bailey to 18 years behind bars for manslaughter, with a concurrent sentence of 10 years for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, Judge Wendy Joseph told him: “You may feel regret now, but you have shown no indication of feeling it during a month-long trial in this court room.

“You told us that upon hearing Moses had died you immediately feared for the consequences for yourself - you said you wished he had not died because then you would not be on trial.

“You never once expressed remorse for the truly terrible thing you have done to another human being.”

Erunse was arrested by officers from West Midlands Police on board a plane at Birmingham International Airport on September 29, as he attempted to make his way to Amsterdam.

He admitted he had the gun, but denied murder, attempted murder and manslaughter.

Erunse, who had grown up with the brothers on the Pembury Estate, claimed he acted in self defence after Moses stabbed him in the back of his leg as he was running away from him, his brother and their friend Anthony Ebe – who had all jumped out of a taxi to chase him.

Judge Joseph said the impact of Erunse’s actions was “huge” and the damage “irreparable”.

She continued: “A young man of 24 has lost his life; his children are left fatherless. I am told his mother has been left inconsolable and unable to come to terms with what’s happened, and his siblings who lead law-abiding lives are left bereft.

“It was you who chose to live in a world of violence and drugs where it is clear numbers of your friends and associates have been shot and stabbed.

“It was you who out of greed and money chose, even after a number of long prison sentences, always to return to this world.

“You feared for your life and did not seek help from the police as you should have done in a lawful society, but instead chose to load yourself with a weapon and to go into a high street at the busiest time of day at the busiest time of week.

“It is frankly a miracle no passer-by was injured.”

A second man, Bradley Wynter, 28, from the Pembury Estate, Lower Clapton, helped Erunse flee the scene having been passed the firearm, which he tried to hide in his jacket.

But he was caught on CCTV as the gun fell to the pavement.

Wynter has 67 previous convictions from 18 court appearances and is currently serving time in prison for possession of heroin and cocaine – for which he was on bail at the time of this offence.

He pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm on the day the trial began, and was sentenced to five years in prison to be served consecutively to his current sentence.