A man working as a groundskeeper for the Prime Minister has been sentenced to jail for assaulting the father of a murdered teenager outside the Old Bailey. Jeffrey Johnson, 24, attacked Adrian Gordon after Gordon witnessed a gang being sentenced for killing his 17-year-old son Shea. Johnson, whose brother was involved in Shea’s murder, along with three others, planned the attack near the court in central London.
During sentencing, Recorder Margia Mostafa highlighted Johnson’s deliberate intent to cause distress to Mr. Gordon and his family by targeting him after the sentencing hearing. Johnson, employed at Keir Starmer’s country retreat, Chequers, was sentenced to 26 months in prison for affray and dangerous driving while under the influence of cannabis.
Despite previous convictions and pending sentencing for other offenses, Johnson has retained his job at Chequers. His lawyer revealed Johnson’s aspirations to become a social worker. Another individual involved in the assault, Deije Underwood, received an 18-month jail term, while a third attacker, Daniel Akere, awaits sentencing.
The violent incident, captured on CCTV on February 5 last year, occurred shortly after two individuals were sentenced to life imprisonment for Shea’s murder. Shea was fatally stabbed in September 2022 in east London. Tensions escalated between the defendants’ associates and Shea’s friends and family during the trial, culminating in the assault outside the court.
Johnson, Underwood, and Akere arrived at the court, with Johnson exhibiting aggressive behavior towards Shea’s family. The altercation escalated as Johnson and Akere retrieved crutches from a car, leading to a physical confrontation with Mr. Gordon. Akere struck Mr. Gordon multiple times with a crutch, while another individual kicked him in the head. Mr. Gordon sustained injuries to his face and arms.
Johnson’s lawyer expressed his client’s remorse for his actions during the assault. Johnson’s dangerous driving incident, while high on cannabis, was also addressed during the court proceedings. Following a high-speed chase, Johnson was sentenced to an additional eight months for the dangerous driving offense.
City of London Police praised the swift action that prevented serious injury during the attack. Johnson and Underwood were both sentenced to 18 months for affray, with Johnson receiving an extra eight months for dangerous driving. Johnson was also banned from driving for over three years and required to pass an extended driving test to regain his license.
The emotional impact of the incident was evident as Underwood’s mother collapsed outside the courtroom upon his sentencing. Johnson, a resident of Tottenham, North London, faced additional penalties and restrictions as a result of his actions.