'Violence will not be tolerated' - jail for gang members who attacked teenagers in Burnt Oak

Two 16-year-olds were stabbed and a third was robbed after the incident in Watling Park, Burnt Oak, on the evening of January 15, 2014.

One of the victims, a student at the London Academy, was left in a critical condition and the other, a student at Barnet College, was discharged on the night of the attack.

The six people responsible were part of a gang known as Finchley 197 and the victims formed part of a gang based in Burnt Oak known as ‘Oakboys’, or Deansbrook known as ‘DBlock’.

Police say the attack was “wholly planned and premeditated” with the defendants’ gang setting up the attack on the false pretext of a drugs deal.

The victims sat down near a basketball court in the park, but when the other gang approached them wearing dark clothing with their faces concealed, they got up and tried to walk away.

But a war of words broke out as two of the victims tried to leave, one having been robbed and the other stabbed in the back.

The third victim received five stab wounds, with one close to his heart, and was found unconscious by the paramedics who gave him CPR and saved his life.

All six culprits were found guilty between June 2014 and February 2015 but were sentenced this week.

Jason Farinas, 20, of Fallows Close, East Finchley, was sentenced to six years in a young offenders institution after being found guilty of conspiracy to rob.

Michael Nwadire, 20, of Belmore Crescent, Cockfosters, was sentenced to 42 months in a young offenders institute for to conspiracy to rob.

Stefan Saulic, 18, of Vatry Road, Haringey, was sentenced for the same crime as well as handling stolen goods and will serve four years in jail.

Fabio Costa, 19, of Folkingham Lane, Barnet, will serve 54 months in a young offender institution and 12 months for conspiracy to rob, which will run concurrently.

Ibrahim Dag, 19, of Park Road, Bounds Green, was sentenced to six years in a young offenders institution for conspiracy to rob.

He was also found guilty of perverting the course of justice by getting rid of his clothing used in the attack and will serve a further eight months.

IBRAHIM DAG, BELOW

His mother, Hatice Dag, 48, of Park Road, Bounds Green, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice after she helped her son get rid of the clothes he wore during the attack.

HATICE DAG, BELOW

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Gideon Mitchell, of Barnet CID, said: “This incident was a callous and premeditated attack against three teenage boys who had been cruelly duped into meeting the defendants under false pretences who had the sole intention to rob and inflict serious injury.

“Only due to the heroic actions of the first officers on scene along with paramedics and HEMS surgeons did the most seriously injured not lose his life.

“The severity of the sentences reflects the true horror of the incident and will hopefully send a message that violence such as this will not be tolerated in our society.”

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Kaye Wyse, of Barnet CID, said: "The investigation of this incident was painstaking and took several months to complete.

“The thorough case preparation undertaken by Detective Sergeant Gideon Mitchell and Detective Constable Aileen Davies for two trials ensured a very efficient court presentation of the case by prosecution counsels’, for which these officers were commended by the court.

“This investigation demonstrates that we will arrest and place those who commit gang-related crimes before the courts.

“Those involved in gangs should also be aware that there is a way out and that there are people we can put them in touch with to help turn their lives around. However, if you remain in a gang and if you continue to commit crime, then we will keep targeting you."