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Gang member gets seven years for playground brawl
02.07.09
A violent teenage gang member who took part in a brawl that ended in the death of a 16-year-old boy was locked up for seven years today.
David Nowak was knifed in the back in December 2007 as he sheltered in a playground from an angry mob carrying sticks, bricks, bats and knives.
Eleven youths, including Dolovan Barzey, were cleared of murder in a trial earlier this year but Barzey was convicted of attacking David's friend.
Judge Richard Hone said terrified witnesses had put up a "wall of silence" that hampered the police investigation.
Barzey, 19, was part of a group that was bent on revenge after David and his friend attacked another youth at a community centre in Stoke Newington, north London, the Old Bailey heard.
There was "strong evidence" that Barzey had chased down the friend and it was "likely" that he stabbed him, the judge said.
"You were fully involved and played a leading part in the attack," he said.
Barzey was unable to control his "unruly temper" and during his trial had taken part in the assault of a prison officer, the judge added.
He told him: "You are associated with a group of unruly youths and you cause a lot of local trouble."
The teenager, a suspected member of the Holly Street Boys gang, was a "key player in group violence", the judge said.
He had previous convictions for drugs, knife possession, violence and theft.
Barzey was found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent and violent disorder in March and was sentenced to seven years in youth detention today, together with a three-year extended licence period.
Reader views (9)
He'll be on the radio in 2 years time with a do-gooder telling us how he has 'changed his life around' since playing video games in a youth care home.
- Paul, Bromley
Why are the Government happy for this kind of behaviour to continue?
- Ted, London
7 years. I am glad Labour have been tough on crime. Bring on the election.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, Hants
If only the Government put as much effort into dealing with law and order as they've done fiddling expenses we might at least say somethings being done...however, I personally don't think they give a damn about 'joe public'...Once again, we the Public..the Taxpayer that is, will foot the bill of keeping this scum in prison...Why? Why are we expected to foot this Bill, I'd rather they be strung up and removed permamently from society as they do not deserve their freedom. Even when they are released they will be entitled to benefit and in most cases that will be long term..and once again we pay for it, both with crime increasing and with tax increases...
This scum are not deterred by prison, as it only provides them with extra stripes and street cred. They should be financially punished and if they are not able to pay then target the parents. Adopt the three strikes and your out. But no, that won't happen will it? We have a weak government and every criminal element, even the european ones know this and exploit the incompetence of our judicial system. Labour should hang their heads in shame for the mess they've made of law and order in this country.
- Alan, East London
Bring back the gladiatorial arena, they get to fight, we get to be entertained, less prison places and the government makes money, so less taxes for us.
- Bob, Cheam
"He had previous convictions for drugs, knife possession, violence and theft." - so why wasn't he in jail? Probably because of lack of proper sentencing for these crimes which left him free to carry on as he wished until he killed someone! And then he only gets a few years. When are the courts going to start handing out proper sentencing to keep these scum off the streets for the long-term and prevent them constantly reoffending?
- Mn, London
Uhm...is it only me that thinks this lot should be locked up forever. What is the use in trying to "rehabilitate" these cowards. A lifetime of hard labour is what is required, not a few years watching Sky sports and playing pool.
- Dannyp, Egham
7 years - out after 3 - hardly a deterrent! tough on crime blah, blah, blah....yet another out of touch, do-gooder judge handing down a sentence that defies belief!
- Gary, amersham
what kind of inadequate gutter low-life attacks a 16 year old in a playground ?
- Squiz, Islington
