Judge praises passer by who chased off attackers with her shopping bag
A judge has commended a “good samaritan” who fought off a knife wielding killer with her shopping bag.
Taylor Fernandes-Nelson, 18, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Tuesday after being convicted of the murder of 24-year-old Ryan Gray – who was killed in Drayton Park in broad daylight last June.
Fernandes-Nelson and his friends Delton Campbell-Brown, 19, and Stephen Roberts, 22, chased Mr Gray down Horsell Road where he was beaten with a crutch and kicked before Fernandes-Nelson of Vivian Comma Close, Finsbury Park, knifed him in the chest seven times.
It was then that passer by Vivian Taylor sprung into action, chasing off the three young men.
Mr Gray, a musician who went by the name Reckz, was taken to hospital but died a few days later.
Sentencing Frenandes-Nelson at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, Judge Anthony Bate said: “I want to commend the spontaneous bravery of the eye witness Vivian Taylor,’ he said.
“She wielded a red leather shopping bag to deter the three attackers, who promptly desisted and fled the scene.
“Mrs Taylor stayed with Ryan to offer what first aid and comfort she could to him.
“Her public-spirited action is to be commended.”
Mr Gray’s mother had previously told the court of the effect the murder had had on her family and her son’s partner, who gave birth to a son, Ryana, in November.
Judge Bate said: “Mr Gray’s mother Alison spoke movingly of his family’s profound sense of loss at this young man’s life being tragically cut short.
“His partner Pauline was pregnant at the time and their daughter will never know her father.”
Delton Campbell-Brown, of Cazenove Road, Stoke Newington, and Roberts of Highbury New Park, Highbury, were cleared of murder by the jury last week.
Mr Gray’s younger brother Jermaine – a rapper performing under the name “Jay Money” – has released a song in memory of the murdered musician with proceeds going to his young son and partner.
The tune, titled “Guardian Angel”, included the lyrics “Ryan’s gone but he’ll never be forgotten” and “the good die young”.
The song is available on Itunes.
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