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Police warn of Triad gangs recruiting in schools
Paul Cheston, Courts Correspondent20 Nov 2008
POLICE today warned headteachers of the dangers of Triad gangs recruiting teenagers in schools across London.
The appeal follows the conviction of A-level student Jerome Castrillo, who killed a drug dealer on an afternoon off from his studies.
Castrillo was 17 when he joined the Wo Shing Wo triad. He was then a pupil at The Latymer School in Edmonton. He had nine GCSEs and three ASs and was due to take A levels in maths, history and media studies. The court heard he had been recruited by "older boys" who "said that if you joined, you would be invited to parties where there would be girls and free drinks".
Detective Inspector Bob Campany, of the Homicide and Serious Crime Directorate, said: "The Triads are quite happy to recruit charlies who can be easily led, but they also go for intelligent, well brought up kids with a bright future ahead of them. They may offer a superficially glamorous lifestyle but, as Castrillo has found out, it will lead to a long prison sentence. Headteachers should be vigilant at all times for the dangers these organised gangs pose in the playgrounds and around the school gates."
Castrillo, now 18, of Enfield, was cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter. Ryan Parker-Saunders, 23, of West Norwood, Cho Wei Leong, 22, of Haringey, and Yu Xiang Liu, 25, of Islington, were all convicted of murder. They will be sentenced next month.
Reader views (5)
I am unaware what Kev and Steve from london said that sparked the overtly racist comments from John. However, there is a problem with english teenagers roaming around due in part to a lack of facilities and the despair of many of them lacking a clear identity that they are allowed to be proud of. Back to John's comments, they speak volumes......
- Tracy, london, england, 06/01/2009 21:52
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I would say to Kev and Steve from London that the problem for the wider public is not the triad gangs, the problem is the numerous gangs of english teenagers who become criminals and a public nuisance from an early age.
- John Span, london, 20/11/2008 20:27
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ooh racism... thats clever isnt it!
- Anon, london, england, 20/11/2008 19:01
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Yes isnt it.
- Kev, London, 20/11/2008 14:33
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Good this multiculturalism isn't it!
- Steve, London, 20/11/2008 10:14
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