Kentish Express Ashford & District
Murder accused joined gang to fund drug habit
Trial hears how victim had managed to run away
An Ashford teenager has told a murder jury how he joined a gang dealing in drugs “because they were a group of friends who never judged me”.
Jaydon McFarlane, 19, was stabbed to death last March, allegedly after “gang warfare” spilled onto the streets of Ashford.
Osita Alagabaoso, of Hoppers Way, has denied the murder and last Wednesday admitted selling cannabis to fund his drug habit.
He told a jury at Maidstone Crown Court how he had moved from London when he was 17 after telling his parents he wanted to learn to be a scaffolder.
Alagbaoso was shown a rap he had written about “how bad and violent” gangs were.
But the teenager added that it was just “fiction” and had been composed before the death of Jaydon McFarlane on March 14 last year.
He had claimed that Mr McFarlane was “out to get me”.
Alagbaoso - who was giving evidence with the assistance of an appointed intermediary broke down and wept when he was questioned about how he felt during the journey to Canterbury.
Prosecutor Richard Barraclough QC asked him in cross-examination: “You really didn’t care how much violence there was on the streets of Ashford did you?”
The teenager replied: “I did care.”
Jaydon, 19, was struck through the chest with a knife when the feuding groups clashed in the town centre. Alagbaoso and pal Joseph Matimba 18, of Arlington, Ashford are on trial accused of murder which they both deny.
The jury has heard how rival gangs Kblock and NPB (No Plan B) had swapped threats after falling out over fake bank notes.
After the stabbing the teenagers were driven to Canterbury by Hassan Tejan, 25, of Crownfield Road.
He has denied perverting the course of justice by helping them escape and lying to police.
The prosecutor has alleged the gangs clashed and when McFarlane fell to the ground and Alagbaoso stabbed him twice.
He added: “The knife broke, leaving the blade caught up in McFarlane’s clothing and the handle fell to the ground.
“McFarlane managed to get up and ran away towards Clockhouse, pursued by Alagbaoso, who was carrying a Rambo-style knife.”
The trial continues.