Peckham gang of seven who went on a violent ‘revenge’ rampage handed total of 102 years in jail

Seven men who “retaliated to violence with more violence” have been jailed for a total over 102 years following multiple shootings in Peckham in May last year.

Tyreke Smikle, 26, Kai Davis-Francis, 25, Duan Correa, 21, Shaquille Marsh, 26, Tyreece Quartey, 25, Malachi Davis-Francis, 21 and Timothy Newton, 18 appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday.

Met detectives launched an investigation into the group in May 2023 after an escalation of violence in the Peckham area. Officers pieced together the movements of the group, speaking to multiple witnesses and analysing hours’ worth of phone data and CCTV.

Enquiries revealed how in the early hours of Sunday, May 7, an acquaintance of Smikle and Newton was stabbed in Peckham.

The pair had visited the victim in hospital before going to collect a bag containing weapons. The two men then met with the rest of the group to form a ‘revenge plan’ for those who had assaulted their friend earlier that day.

CCTV showed the group wearing balaclavas and all splitting up between three vehicles, including a stolen moped. Smikle was carrying a loaded shotgun and ammunition, while the others had machetes and knives.

The group’s two vehicles pursued a vehicle before Smikle fired a shotgun through the driver’s window. The group then pulled alongside another vehicle in a nearby street and fired a second time at a second victim.

They continued to chase the car, which crashed and flipped over as it tried to drive away. As the third victim ran off, Smikle chased him into a nearby garden and shot him in the leg at almost point-blank range.

Witnesses also later saw the group in the possession of a large machete.

Luckily no one involved received life-threatening injuries.

Detective Constable Luke Martinez, who led the investigation, said: “This group retaliated to violence with more violence, bringing a firearm and other weapons to the streets of London which could have seriously injured or killed someone.

“These shootings took place during daylight hours, with one occurring just metres away from a mother and her child.

“Today’s sentencing has taken dangerous individuals off the streets – I hope it serves as a stark warning to those seeking to threaten the safety of Londoners by brandishing such dangerous weapons.”

When arresting Smikle, officers recovered the shotgun and a quantity of Class A drugs, as well as a stab-proof vest, a knife and burner phones.

Smikle was convicted of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm, two counts of wounding with intent, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of a firearms and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

The remaining defendants were convicted of conspiracy to commit Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH).

In addition to the conspiracy to commit Grievous Bodily Harm conviction, Kai Davis-Francis and Newton were convicted of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Smikle, of Rupack Street, was sentenced to life imprisonment to serve a minimum term of 17 years and seven months. Kai Davis-Francis, of Arngask Road, was sentenced to 17 years and six months in prison. Newton, of Brackley Avenue, was sentenced to nine years and six months in prison.

Correa, of Nunhead Lane, was sentenced to 16 years in prison, Marsh, of Rainham South Road, was sentenced to 14 years and six months, Quartey, of Woodmill Street, was sentenced to 13 years and Malachai Davis-Francis (brother of Kai), of Ivydale Road, was sentenced to 14 years and six months in prison.

Smikle was also granted an indefinite Criminal Behaviour Order whilst the others were also given Criminal Behaviour Orders with fixed terms.

Pictured top: Ringleader Tyreke Smikle, who was given a life sentence (Picture: The Met)