London: A 33-year-old man convicted of orchestrating a drive-by motorbike shooting in north-east London, which left a nine-year-old Kerala girl with life-changing injuries, has been sentenced to life imprisonment. Javon Riley must serve a minimum of 34 years before parole consideration, the Old Bailey court ruled on Friday.

The jury had earlier found him guilty of the attempted murder of three men and grievous bodily harm to the girl, who still carries a stray bullet in her head after being caught in the crossfire.

Role in gang plot

The trial revealed that Riley did not fire the gun but played a crucial role in a plan aimed at killing rival gang members of an organised crime network on May 29, 2024. Evidence showed that he scoped the area and studied traffic flow in Kingsland Road to aid the attack.

Police reaction and appeal

“Riley will face the consequences of his actions behind bars, actions that traumatically derailed the life of a little girl,” said Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke of the Metropolitan Police.

“While this outcome is a reminder that justice can be served, it will never undo the suffering caused to her or her family. The dangerous man responsible for pulling the trigger is walking free, and it is imperative we find him,” she added.

Yorke renewed an appeal for information: “Please reconsider your decision to stay silent and share what you know. Anything you say will be treated with the utmost care and confidentiality and you will be playing a huge part in securing justice for a young girl and her family.”

The girl’s ordeal

Prosecutors told the court that the Tottenham Turks gang had targeted rivals from the Hackney Turks, seated outside a restaurant in Dalston. The first bullet missed its target, striking the child while she was enjoying an ice cream with her family.

“In a single moment, the future we had imagined for our daughter was torn away. She was once an energetic, adventurous child — everything that celebrated movement, energy, and life,” her mother said in a statement issued via the Met Police.

“Now, weakness on her left side means she can only watch from the sidelines, living with a titanium plate in her skull and a bullet still in her brain. As parents, we are shattered — emotionally, physically, mentally, and financially. Each day brings new challenges, from her slower growth on one side to the emotional and mental scars that cannot be seen. We are living in pain every day,” she added.

Lasting impact

The girl, who cannot be named as she is a minor, narrowly survived after undergoing surgery to rebuild her skull with titanium. She spent over three months in hospital. While she has shown good recovery, doctors expect lifelong physical and cognitive difficulties due to the bullet lodged in her brain.

Riley’s background

The court also heard that Riley, born in Jamaica, had prior convictions before this offence. The trial concluded last month with his conviction, following detailed police investigations into his involvement in the planned gangland attack.