A teenager was 'repeatedly punched, kicked and struck with a variety of weapons' amid a clash between two 'rival gangs', a murder trial has been told. Alexander John Soyoye, also known as John, died on November 5, 2020, following a feud between the Moston-based 'M40' gang and the Rochdale and Oldham outfit Representing the Danger (RTD).
Catalyst for attack
Manchester Crown Court heard that the stabbing of a relative of an M40 gang member in Piccadilly Gardens earlier that day triggered a brutal 'revenge' attack resulting in Mr Soyoye's death hours later. Jurors were told RTD members later headed to Moston to 'exact revenge', leading to a violent melee. M40 gang members became overwhelmed and fled.
Mr Soyoye was injured in the earlier fight, became isolated, and was punched, kicked, and stabbed, suffering 15 blows to his body. He died at the scene.
Previous convictions
Six RTD members were previously convicted of Mr Soyoye's murder: Francesco Raji, 24; Christopher Semedo, 27; Nelson Correia, 26; Ismiel Correia, 24; Brent Tchipenda, 23; and Octavio Antonio, 24. A seventh member, Mohammed Al-Jaf, 25, was convicted of manslaughter.
On July 28, Ruben Candiza, 26; Valco De-Almeida, 27; Marco Veiga, 25; and Emerson Teta, 25, went on trial accused of murder and violent disorder. They all deny the offences.
Prosecution's case
Andrew Haslam KC told jurors that after violent disorder on Kenyon Lane, in which Mr Soyoye was struck with a knife and a baseball bat, RTD members 'overwhelmed' the M40 group, who fled. CCTV showed Mr Soyoye being 'chased' by RTD but 'slowed down' due to his injuries. Mr Haslam said: 'John Soyoye was surrounded by the chasing group, they repeatedly attacked him as he lay helpless on the ground. There were punches, kicks and blows with a variety of weapons. Francesco Raji was the first to attack him.'
The court heard Mr De-Almeida held a baseball bat while jogging towards the attack, with his arm outstretched as if filming events on his mobile phone. A blood-stained car parcel shelf and a black pole stained with Mr Soyoye's blood were found at the scene.
Aftermath and arrests
After the alleged attack, the group left Mr Soyoye to die and fled. Emergency services arrived at 7.15pm; he was pronounced dead at around 7.40pm. Tchipenda, who suffered injuries to his hand and chest, was arrested after giving a false account.
The four defendants each booked a one-way flight to Lisbon, Portugal, departing on November 7, 2020. Three months later, Mr De-Almeida called police from Portugal, saying he 'couldn't travel' and 'didn't touch him'. He said he left the country because he was afraid of something he didn't do.
All four were arrested at Heathrow Airport this year: Mr Candiza on February 4, Mr De-Almeida on February 13, Mr Veiga on March 13, and Mr Teta on April 8.
Prosecutor's closing
Concluding his opening address, Mr Haslam said: 'We say the evidence demonstrates that Representing the Danger wanted revenge for the stabbing by the M40 on Francesco Raji's brother. Once word of the attack was out, the gangs mobilised their troops. There was a call to arms.' He added that RTD overwhelmed the M40 group, and Mr Soyoye was left behind, unarmed and injured, becoming easy prey. They surrounded him, attacked him with knives, machetes, sticks, a plank of wood, and even a car shelf, then ran away. The defendants fled the country to evade arrest. The issue for the jury is whether each defendant was a party to murder or violent disorder.
Mr Candiza, 26, of Appleby Walk, Royton, Oldham; Mr De-Almeida, 27, of Brierley Street, Oldham; Mr Veiga, 25, of Burnsall Grove, Royton, Oldham; and Mr Teta, 25, of Chestnut Crescent, Oldham each deny murder and violent disorder. The trial continues.
