Romaine Williams-Reid was convicted today
Tashaûn Aird was stabbed to death by three gang members who wrongly accused him of being in a rival group.
Romaine Williams-Reid, 18, of Erith Crescent, and a 16-year-old boy from Hackney were found guilty of manslaughter and GBH.
Another boy from Hackney, aged 15, was convicted of murder and GBH.
All three will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, 24 January.
Detective Chief Inspector Helen Rance led the investigation. She said: “It was clear that the group worked together and had a clear intention that day to target Tashaûn.
“The actions towards him were brutal and violent and have robbed a family of their son and brother.
“Tashaûn ran for his life and he was stabbed nine times; he stood no chance against his attackers who then left him lying in the street.
“Tashaûn had a passion for recording and producing music and had his whole future ahead of him. Now a family have to deal with this loss for the rest of their lives.”
Tashaûn Aird
Tashaûn, an aspiring music producer, was brutally stabbed to death on Wednesday, 1 May during an unprovoked attack.
Police were called to Somerford Grove, at around 8.54pm and found Tashaûn lying in the road heavily bleeding.
Despite receiving first aid, he was pronounced dead less than an hour later.
Williams-Reid has been trying to located Tashaûn, with the intention of harming him.
He then made contact with his co-defendants alerting them that Tashaûn and his friends were in the park by Somerford Grove.
The other killers took an Uber to the park where they met up with Williams-Reid, before all three ran towards Tashaûn and his friends as they launched their attack.
Tashaûn was stabbed a number of times in the park but was able to run away and sought refuge by the side of a nearby house. But the 15-year-old was able to catch up with him and stabbed him one last time in the upper chest.
One of Tashaûn’s friends, a 16-year-old boy, was also stabbed in the park but has since recovered from his injuries.
Following the attacks, the two boys got back into the Uber that drove them to the park and fled.
Meanwhile, Williams-Reid left on the second victim’s bike.
Somerford Grove, near where the attack took place (credit: Google Maps)
In a statement from Tashaûn’s family, they said: “Our beautiful and talented Tashaûn was just 15 years old when he was attacked and murdered, in what was a senseless and unprovoked attack on him.
“There can be no comfort to us other than these individuals being off the streets and out of harm’s way.
“However, no words could ever describe the pain, numbness and sheer anguish that we as a family have felt since he was taken away from us so suddenly on 1 May.
“No family should be put through what we have experienced these past seven months, you hear about knife crime and never expect it to be one of your own. The family who were once a family of four are now a family of three, which leaves me, Tashaun’s sister, without my baby brother, the final piece to our family puzzle.
“Our mother, and our father, without their son, their handbag. Our child, was hunted down and brutally attacked, the actions of those responsible for his killing were cowardly as he was defenceless to it, he did not harm anybody, nor did he warrant this to happen to him. No family would ever expect their loved one not to return home.
“Life will never be the same again for us and no sentence for taking our Prince’s life could ever be enough.
“Collectively, as a family we feel damaged beyond repair due to Tashaûn’s murder.”
DCI Rance added: “I would like to thank Taushan’s family for their support with our investigation and throughout the trial. I would also like to thank the witnesses who have showed strength and courage in attending court.
“Finally, thank you to the investigation team for their hard work and dedication to the case, they have worked tirelessly to piece together the evidence to bring those responsible to justice.”
If there are any young people who either have information about violence or knife crime, they can visit fearless.org where they can pass on information anonymously. Fearless is part of the Crimestoppers charity, and is also independent of the police.
If you need help or information to support someone you suspect is involved in knife crime, or you want assistance yourself, then you can visit www.knifefree.co.uk or LondonNeedsYouAlive.
Tags: Hackney, Havering, Collier Row
