A ‘hitman’ and his getaway driver hired by one gang to assassinate rivals in another as part of a long running feud have been jailed today, Monday, 13 July.
Jamie Marsh-Smith, 23 (14.06.91) of no fixed address and Samuel Zerei, 21 (28.10.92) of Hathersage Court, Newington Green, N1 were found guilty of the murder of Zafer Eren outside Fontaine Court, Southgate on 18 April 2013 at the Old Bailey on Thursday, 10 July.
Marsh-Smith was also found guilty of the attempted murder of Inan Eren – Zafer’s cousin – in Forest Road, Enfield on 30 December 2012.
Marsh-Smith was further found guilty of the attempted murder of his co-defendant, Samuel Zerei in Markfield Park, South Tottenham on 22 April 2013.
Marsh-Smith was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to serve a minimum of 38 years. Zerei was also sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to serve a minimum of 28 years.
On Friday, 11 July, Wayne McNeish, Marsh-Smith’s half-brother, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years’ imprisonment for perverting the course of justice as he assisted Marsh-Smith in evading arrest.
The successful convictions follow from investigations by detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command (HMCC) and the Trident Gang Crime Command.
Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh, the senior investigating officer from the HMCC, said: “The conduct of Jamie Marsh-Smith and Samuel Zerei reads like something from a film. They accepted a contract to kill; they had no known dispute with their victim.
“Marsh-Smith and Zerei were professional and dangerous criminals. Marsh-Smith even tried to execute his getaway driver Samuel Zerei when he failed to dispose of the getaway car used in the murder of Zafer Eren.
“This investigation has been brought about through truly outstanding and painstaking detective work, piecing together a complex evidential jigsaw.
“Our investigation continues into Zafer Eren’s murder as we seek to find those responsible for ordering the killing. The convictions today demonstrate that the police will not go away. For the people who hold information about Zafer Eren’s murder, make that call today to our incident room.
“Police are offering a reward of up to £30,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Zafer Eren’s murder.”
Anyone who can assist police should call the Incident room on 020 8785 8099 or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The wife of Zafer Eren said: “This has had a devastating impact on our life; our baby was only 26-days-old when Zafer was killed on my doorstep. Marsh-Smith and Zerei have shown no remorse for their actions.”
The court heard that the murder of Zafer Eren and attempted murder of Inan Eren where part of, and followed, a long running feud between members of two gangs, the Tottenham Turks (a.k.a. Tottenham Boys) and the Hackney Turks (a.k.a. Bombacilars) resulting in a number of shootings and attacks.
Marsh-Smith, known by the street name ‘Freddy’ (as in Krueger from The Nightmare on Elm Street films) was not a member of either gang but employed by the Hackney Turks to carry out ‘hits’ on members of the Eren family, who lead the Tottenham Turks.
On 30 December 2012 Marsh-Smith lay in wait for Inan Eren as he returned to his home in Forest Road, Enfield. The gunman approached from the middle of the road and fired at him. The first shot missed hitting a window showering his wife with glass. More shots were fired as the gunman approached Inan within an arms length before escaping in a car.
Inan was hit three times – in the arm, leg and stomach – but escaped to a nearby convenience store on Herford Road where his wife found him and he went to hospital and survived the attack.
The car believed used for the getaway was later discovered on fire, not far from Marsh-Smith’s address, items recovered from it indicated its use by Marsh-Smith.
On 18 April 2013, in similar circumstances to the attempt on Inan Eren’s life, Marsh-Smith, this time with Zerei as the getaway driver, lay in wait near Fontaine Court, Southgate as Zafer Eren was returning to home. The gunman – Marsh-Smith wearing a “V for Vendetta” style Guy Fawkes facemask – exited a red Peugeot 308 car walked across the road and fired seven shots at Zafer then ran back to the already moving Peugeot and got into the rear and the car fled the scene.
Zafer was hit four times. Despite the efforts of ambulance and air ambulance staff, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Peugeot was recovered on 19 April 2013, not far from Zerei’s home.
On 22 April 2013 Marsh-Smith, believed to be fearing Zerei was a liability, arranged to meet him at Markfield Park – a place he had checked out ahead of the meeting – under some pretext. Once there Marsh-Smith shot Zerei, hitting him twice. Despite this Zerei escaped and police and emergency services were called.
Following disclosure at hospital about how Zerei was involved with Marsh-Smith and that night’s shooting he was arrested on suspicion of the murder of Zafer Eren. In subsequent interviews Zerei was either silent or referred to a prepared statement saying he didn’t remember what he said at hospital. He was subsequently charged with murder.
Marsh-Smith, now wanted for the murder and attempted murder, managed to escape the London with the help of Wayne McNeish, his half-brother. After his arrest on 24 September 2013 McNeish made no comment in his interview. He continued to provide support and guidance to his brother.
McNeish was re-arrested on 27 September 2013 and subsequently charged with perverting the course of justice.
Following public appeals, Marsh-Smith was eventually traced and arrested on 30 September 2013 in Milton Keynes.
Indictment in full:
Jamie Marsh-Smith, 23 (14.06.91), of no fixed address:
Count 1 – Attempted murder of Inan Eren
Count 2 – Murder of Zafer Eren
Count 3 – Attempted murder of Samuel Zerei
Samuel Zerei, 21 (28.10.92), of Hathersage Court, Newington Green, N1:
Count 2 – Murder of Zafer Eren
Wayne McNeish, 33 (18.11.80), of West End Lane, NW6:
Count 4 – perverting the course of justice
The jury failed to reach a verdict with regard to two other men charged with the attempted murder of Inan Eren – Christopher Annan, 23 (13.10.90) and Tyrone Wright, 19 (14.6.94). A decision awaits whether there will be a retrial.
