Teenagers who murdered Barking music producer jailed for life with a minimum of 18 years
Alex Scott, left and Corey Donaldson. Picture credit: Met Police - Credit: Archant
Two “smirking” teenagers have been jailed at least 18 years for murdering a charismatic young music producer from Barking in a gang feud played out in YouTube videos.
Dean Pascal-Modeste, 21, aka Floss, had gone to Grove Park in south east London to record a YouTube music video with friends on February 24.
He became the innocent victim of “tit for tat” violence between the B Side and Splash gangs when he was ambushed and stabbed at least 14 times.
Before the attack, both sides had taunted each other in YouTube rap videos, some featuring DJ Tim Westwood.
Antagonism reached crisis point when a young woman was stabbed after she appeared to switch sides and her attacker was jailed.
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Corey Donaldson and Alex Scott, both 18, were among the youths associated with B Side who set upon Mr Pascal-Modeste like a “pack of wolves”.
The pair were found guilty of murder and convicted of possessing an offensive weapon.
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Judge Philip Katz QC detained them at Her Majesty’s pleasure with a minimum term of at least 18 years each.
He said the victim was a “much-loved son and brother with a promising future and much to live for”.
He told the defendants: “He hoped for a career in music and had all the talent and passion to make his goals possible.
“Unlike you two, he was not a drug dealer, did not carry knives and had not been in trouble with police.”
He condemned the youths for showing not a “flicker of remorse” and “fooling around in the dock” when the jury was absent.
Earlier, in a victim impact statement, Lezley Modeste described the “void in my whole being” at losing her loving, charming and charismatic “baby boy”.
She also criticised the “smirking” defendants, who smiled and waved as they were convicted.
The victim’s father, Anthony Pascal, said: “It all stops here and it’s so completely unnecessary and unfair.”
His sisters, Shannon Pascal-Modeste and Nicola Ayaoge, also sat through the trial and spoke of their devastation.
Mrs Ayaoge said her brother had been an usher at her wedding a week before his death, which she only heard about as she returned from her honeymoon.
She said: “Finding out nine days after my wedding that Dean had been murdered left me feeling empty and numb.”
Scott had previous convictions for drugs and using a vehicle while uninsured and Donaldson had been convicted of having a knife and affray.
The pair looked up at the public gallery with serious faces and stretched as they were sent down to begin their sentences.
The case came after Scotland Yard’s gangs specialist, Temporary Commander Jim Stokley, called for YouTube to do more to shut down videos promoting violence and gun crime.
