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'Privileged' boy locked up for Triad killing of drug dealer
Paul Cheston, Courts Correspondent22 Dec 2008
An A-level student who turned killer after being lured into a Triad gang with the promise of parties, girls and free drinks got a four-year sentence today.
Jerome Castrillo, an 18-year-old pupil at one of north London's most successful schools - Latymer in Edmonton - was convicted of manslaughter at the Old Bailey. While 17 and studying for exams Castrillo took an afternoon off from school to join fellow members of the Wo Shing Wo in a gang attack.
He and three other men beat up cocaine and heroin dealer Mick McGrath, 57, who once had links to the Krays and other gangsters.
Judge Martin Stephens sentenced Castrillo to four years' youth detention. He told him: "You were doing well at school, you had the enormous privilege to have a good family, good friends and every prospect of a decent, happy and successful life."
He said Castrillo was young enough to pick up his life.
Ryan Parker-Saunders, 23, of West Norwood, Cho Wei Leong, 22, of Haringey, and Yu Xiang Liu, 25, of Islington, were all convicted of McGrath's murder and jailed for life.
Reader views (6)
I am not condoning the crime committed or violence in anyway shape or form. However, this situation has made me realise that each individual is different and not everyone is a cold blooded killer.
Also, he was not "priviledged" in the sense you all think of when you see that word and the word judge in the same sentence! He was an ordinary teenage boy from a stable family, who had access to a good education.
Please spare a thought for the families involved this Christmas.
- G, Enfield, England, 23/12/2008 19:39
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why are all respondents so rubbish at spelling?
- Lizzie, London, England, 23/12/2008 11:24
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4 years bargain! I love this country, a 'justice' system destroyed by the Liberal-Lefties.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 23/12/2008 10:16
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Sounds like the judge has been paid off by his 'priveleged family'
- Kelly, Muscat Oman, 22/12/2008 23:08
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4 took part , 3 guilty of murder and 1 guilty of manslaughter ?
4 took part in taking a mans life and the difference in sentencing but for the loss of life is laughable , where is the justace in this ?
- Alan Baker, essex .uk, 22/12/2008 16:51
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4 YRS,are we mad in this country?
- Kev, London, 22/12/2008 15:44
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