Harrow man jailed for shooting of Leon Maxwell in Queensbury

Saharded Hassan, of Courtfield Road, Harrow, will serve a minimum of 32 years for his part in the death of Leon Maxwell in 2018.

Mr Maxwell, 38, died in Queensbury on May 1 2018 after he was shot by a gunman on a moped.

The Metropolitan Police and London Ambulance Service had responded to reports of a shooting in Essoldo Way at 8.50pm and Mr Maxwell was found in the entrance to some nearby flats.

A second man, aged 26, was also shot and taken to hospital. He survived his injuries.

Following a trial at the Old Bailey, shooter Irwin Constable, 20, of Whippendell Road, Watford, Hassan, 28, and moped rider Rajae Heslop, 22, of North Circular Road, NW2, were found guilty in March this year of murder and attempted murder.

A police cordon by Queensbury station in 2018. Credit: PA

Detectives from the Met's specialist crime command launched an investigation in 2018, establishing Mr Maxwell and the second man had been sitting in a car when they were approached by two suspects wearing helmets on a stolen moped.

The moped passenger - Constable - fired five shots into the car.

Police trawled through CCTV recovering more than 1,000 hours of footage. Despite suspecting a known gang to be involved, investigations proved difficult and detectives turned their attention to the stolen moped. They were able to identify the thief.

The investigation continued, and as a result of forensic analysis, DNA belonging to Hassan was found on one of the bullet casings found at the scene of the shooting.

He was arrested but at the time, police say there was not enough evidence to connect him with the shooting.

Police cordon in Queensbury in north London in 2018. Credit: PA

In March 2019, five men were arrested and 131 mobiles phones seized from their homes, creating further forensic and analysis opportunities.

Detectives continued to intricately view hours of CCTV footage to link the moped to the suspects.

They were found to have exchanged the moped several times and even went to the effort of changing their clothing in an attempt to conceal and hide their identity. Following a lengthy investigation, officers identified Heslop as the moped rider and Constable as the pillion passenger.

Heslop fled the country but was arrested a year later after returning to the UK. Police say a search of his home found a set of lyrics which he had written in what police say depicted his involvement in the murder of Mr Maxwell.

left to right: Saharded Hassan, Rajae Heslop, Irwin Constable. Credit: Met Police

Sentencings of Hassan, Heslop, and Constable took place in March but came to light this week following the conclusion of a separate trial.

Hassan will serve a minimum of 32 years for murder and 20 years for attempted murder. The sentences will run concurrently. Heslop' sentences will also run concurrently. He was jailed for 28 years for murder and 18 years for attempted murder.

Constable was sent to prison for 24 years for murder and 17 years for attempted murder. Once again, his sentences will run concurrently.

Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin, said: "The investigation team has worked tirelessly since 2018 to get to the truth about what happened on Essoldo Way in order to not only bring those involved before the courts, but to get some form of resolution for Leon’s family.

"This case highlights that even when suspects make every attempt to hide their identities, through hard work and forensic opportunities, we will always endeavour to find them.

"Three men involved this murder have been given lengthy prison sentences, the professed gang leader Saharded Hassan received 32 years for his involvement.

"I would encourage anyone with information regarding gun crime to contact police. Together, we can take these dangerous weapons off of our streets and make London safer for everyone."

Kaleel Nyeila, 20,Samuel Ageyman, 19, Armani Ogilvie, and Abdi Karama, 19, were found not guilty of murder and attempted murder following a separate trial.

Jahdelle Wlliams-Campbell was convicted for his involvement in the theft of the moped and sentenced to eight months and a training order.