Drive by gunman who fled UK after killing teenager is sentenced to life in prison

• 13:46, 11 Feb 2016
• By KATHERINE CLEMENTINE

Denny Michael De Silva fled the country after he killed a 20-year-old in a drive by shooting but was arrested in Malaga, Spain

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Jailed: Denny Michael De Silva was jailed for life for murdering Romario Green

A murderer who shot and killed his victim in a drive by before fleeing the UK has been sentenced to life in prison.

Denny Michael De Silva, 23, of London was found guilty and sentenced to life, to serve a minimum of 27 years' imprisonment today.

De Silva, of Westbourne Park Road, Ladbroke Grove, murdered 20-year-old Romario Green, who was killed by a shotgun fired from a moving car, reports Get West London.

The Old Bailey heard how at around 10pm on July 1, 2015, the victim met with friends in Fishers Way in Wembley.
They encountered Denny De Silva with two other men and an argument took place.

Around two hours later, Romario and his group had moved to Harrow Road when De Silva, who was travelling in a Ford Focus, slowly drove past the group towards a roundabout at the junction with Watford Road.

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Murdered: Romario Green was killed in a drive by shooting last summer

Romario and his friends chased after the car and one of them threw a bottle at it.
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The vehicle drove back at speed and Romario ran into the road towards it.


At this point a single shot was fired from the vehicle hitting Romario in his upper chest and throat and the car sped off from the scene.

Police and the London Ambulance Service were called, but despite the efforts of the emergency services, Romario was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:24am.

A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as a single gunshot wound.

The Ford Focus was later recovered by police burnt out in a park in Luton, Bedfordshire.

De Silva and another suspect fled the country before they were linked to the incident by police and European arrest warrants were obtained.

On August 10, 2015, De Silva was stopped in a vehicle in Malaga, Spain and arrested.

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Old Bailey

He was then extradited to the UK on August 21, 2015. On the same day, he was charged with murder, possession of a shotgun with intent to endanger life and the possession of a firearm, which was a shotgun.


Detective Inspector Julie Willats, from the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "I would like to pay tribute to Romario's family who have been at court everyday and encouraged the local community to assist us with our investigation.
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"Enquiries are ongoing in relation to locating an outstanding suspect.

"A young man lost his life and incidents such as this underline the need for the people to call-time on those illegally possessing weapons and contact the police or Crimestoppers. The information you hold may just save someone's life.

"I hope that today's sentence offers some comfort to Romario's family and friends."