A career criminal who orchestrated a gangland shooting that left a nine-year-old girl with life-changing injuries has been ordered to pay her £9,115 in compensation. Javon Riley, 34, was ordered to hand over the money following a confiscation hearing at the Old Bailey on Monday, October 12, after Metropolitan Police officers traced assets generated through serious and organised crime.
The girl was shot in the head while eating ice cream with her family at a restaurant in Kingsland Road, Dalston, east London, in May 2024. Riley was jailed for a minimum of 34 years in September 2025 after being convicted of three counts of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm.
Shooting plot details
His trial heard how he plotted for a gunman to open fire inside the restaurant in a bid to kill rival gang members linked to an organised crime network. The gunman arrived on a stolen Ducati Monster motorbike before firing through the restaurant window, injuring the young girl and three men.
Detectives established that Riley had repeatedly surveyed the area in the run-up to the shooting, sitting in a bar opposite the restaurant to plan the attack. On the evening of the incident, he drove from north London in a stolen car and passed the restaurant several times to ensure his intended targets were present.
Financial investigation
Detective Inspector Ben Dalloway, who led the investigation, said the confiscation process was the first of its kind for the Met. He said: “The process we used to obtain this confiscation was the first of its kind for the Met Police and demonstrates our continued efforts to hold criminals to account and ensure no one profits from organised crime.”
“Alongside our investigation into the shooting, our officers also examined Riley’s finances. During a search of his address, they recovered thousands of pounds in cash. It became the team’s mission to take the money out of Riley’s hands and ensure he could not continue to profit from criminality.”
Aftermath and appeal
After the shooting, Riley helped the gunman escape, taking him away from the scene and disposing of the firearm. The young girl's family have previously described the profound emotional, physical, mental and financial impact the shooting has had on their lives.
Mr Dalloway said: “We recognise that no amount of money can undo the devastating impact this shooting has had on this young girl and her family. However, we hope this outcome demonstrates our commitment to pursuing every available avenue to seek justice for victims of crime.”
The shooting investigation was launched on May 29, 2024, after police were called to reports of gunfire outside the restaurant. Despite extensive enquiries, the gunman has yet to be identified. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Met on 101, quoting reference 8082/29MAY24 or 01/402921/24. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
