Expert translates drug speak during teen murder trial

A former gang member has given evidence at the Ashford murder trial – to interpret patois used in the drug culture.

Jaydon McFarlane, 19, was stabbed to death last March, allegedly after “gang warfare” spilled onto the streets of the town.

At the trial on Tuesday, expert Francis Osei-Appiah told the jury how he was once part of a street gang in Tottenham and served many years in jail.

Now he advises Kent Police, Kent County Council and other organisations on how to keep youngsters from being groomed by county lines drugs gangs.

The head of residential care at Princess Diana’s former school in Sevenoaks said he had worked with 30,000 children during the past nine years, adding “and I know their language... it’s like a second language to me”.

He told the jury: “I come from a very humble beginning. I grew up in a council estate in north London. When I was a teenager I was groomed into a gang myself. That put me into prison for almost 17 years.”

Prosecutor Richard Barraclough QC has alleged: “This case concerns gang warfare on the streets of Ashford, which started with the stabbing of Kaseem Ibrahim by Osita Alagbaoso on January 25 last year.

He claimed: “Joseph Matimba was involved in the stabbing and Alagbaoso has pleaded guilty to wounding.

“It ended in the stabbing to death of Jaydon McFarlane on March 14 by Alagbaoso.

“Although Matimba was not the stabber he was involved in the murder.”

Alagbaoso, 18, of Hoppers Way in Ashford, and Matimba, 18, of Bodiam Road in London, have both denied murder.

A third defendant, Hassan Tejan, 25, of Crownfield Road, Ashford, has pleaded not guilty to perverting the course of justice.

The jury heard how in one call – played to the jury at Maidstone Crown Court – between Matimba and a friend Zain Ali began with Ali saying: “Ay yo yo my killydo” – which Mr Osei-Appiah claimed meant “my killer friend” in street gang speak.

In another, Ali talks about “Vicky Kennington” which Mr Osei-Appiah said refers to Victoria Park in Ashford.

Ali continues: “I’m gassed bro, I’m ***** gassed. Well done you, did good.”

The expert said that means he is happy.

Matimba says: “Bro, there was like three stabbings today innit. Vicky Kennington, you get me fam?”

In another call he says: “Two mans, one got dipped (stabbed) in Vicky and one got dipped in canon (another area of Ashford).

“One of them got shanked up innit yeah. They all dead as well. G three dead in under an hour bruv.”

Ali: “***** hell”.

Matimba continues: “One got shanked up in the Kennington block and one got shanked up in Vicky Park.”

The court heard that Ali then started rapping – allegedly about the stabbing.

The trial continues.

‘When I was a teen I was groomed into a gang myself. That put me into prison...’

A tree off Brookfield Road became covered in tributes last year after Jaydon McFarlane was stabbed to death in March

A photo of Jaydon MacFarlane, 19, attached to a tree off Brookfield Road; right police at the scene last year