‘Reckless and violent’ gunman handed 11-year jail term for shooting teen moped rider

A man who shot a moped rider who had been deliberately knocked from his bike in a busy road has been jailed.

Christian Assi, 20, of Lewisham, was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment at Croydon Crown Court on Monday, after being found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

He was handed concurrent jail sentences of five years for GBH and 22 months for possession of a shotgun without a certificate.

At around 7.15pm on May 12, 2022, Assi was the passenger of a Range Rover in Brixton Hill which pursued the moped, before deliberately knocking the 18-year-old rider to the floor.

While he lay there, Assi emerged from the vehicle brandishing a shotgun which he fired at the victim, hitting him in the arm. The victim was taken to hospital where he was required to undergo surgery for his injury.

Following the incident, Assi ran from the scene and – to the shock and horror of those he passed by – was seen to still be in possession of the firearm.

CCTV footage showed Assi stopping in a doorway as he ran from the scene and handing the firearm to a second man, who ran to a nearby block of flats. Further footage showed the man leaving the block a short time later, no longer in possession of the firearm.

This man was Edmund Sido, 53, of no fixed address. He was arrested and charged and subsequently pleaded guilty on March 13 to possession of a shotgun. He was sentenced to 33 months’ imprisonment at the same hearing.

Assi was arrested on June 8 2022. A search of his property revealed items of clothing he had worn during the shooting.

Detective Constable Chris Bryant, who led the investigation, said:“Assi is a dangerous individual who had no regard for either his victim or the wider public.

“This incident could easily have resulted in tragedy and Assi’s brazenness in then running through a street busy with people and traffic whilst brandishing a shotgun gives just some indication of his recklessness.

“We will not tolerate such wanton violence and continue to relentlessly pursue those intent on carrying and using guns on our streets.”

Pictured top: Christian Assi (Picture: The Met)