Aaron McKoy trial: ‘Cellmates plotted to frame pal for killing’

Jack Nichols, 21, from the High Street, Wickford, is said to have gunned down Aaron Mckoy in Clerkenwell on New Year’s Eve.

While sharing a cell with his cousin, Ceon Hewitt, 22 and Osman Mohammed, 23, they plotted to point the finger at fellow defendant Dean Smith, also known by his rap name Bungle, the Old Bailey was told on Tuesday.

Mr McKoy had been with his twin brother Lee celebrating their 22nd birthdays at the Clerkenwell House Wine Bar, in Portpool Lane, when fighting broke out between rival Hackney gangs.

A group of men chased him and shot him dead near the venue.

Bernard Richmond QC, representing Smith, said: “You decided that you were going to put the blame on Bungle.”

Nichols replied: “No, that is not true.” He added: “Me and you both know your client done it.”

One eyewitness said the gunman was white and Nichols is the only white defendant, but the prosecution claim it was Smith who pulled the trigger.

James Scobie QC, representing Hewitt, said to Nichols: “Seeing somebody shot not once, not twice but three times, is that something you will never forget?” He replied: “I will never forget that.”

After the shooting, Smith is alleged to have turned to Nichols and said calmly “walk, you haven’t done anything”. Nichols is said to have ran from the scene and jumped into a car with Hewitt.

He said: “As soon as I was in the car my heart was beating fast, I couldn’t speak properly because I was shocked at what I had seen. I was in a frenzy trying to explain to him [Hewitt] what I had saw.

Mr Scobie said: “You two were in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong person.”

Dean Smith, of Lordship Road, Stoke Newington, Perrie Dennis, 22, of Thornbury Close, Newington Green; Osman Mohammed, 23, of Homerton Road, Hackney; Daniel Oyetoro, 27, of Charlbury Crescent, Romford and Jack Nichols, 21, and Ceon Hewitt, 22, of the High Street, Wickford, are charged with murder.

The trial continues.