Josh McKay, 33, was stabbed in the neck by rapper Renai Belle last July in front of his young child while he was getting a haircut, reports Marco Marcelline
A rapper has been convicted of murdering a father in front of his young child at a Leyton barbershop.
Josh McKay, 33, was stabbed in the neck by Renai Belle in a targeted attack and died from his injuries at the scene in Lea Bridge Road on 6th July last year.
Belle, 30, was convicted of Josh’s murder and possession of a knife at the Old Bailey yesterday (4th June). A man and woman from Leytonstone were also convicted of separate offences.
The court heard that Josh was at the barbershop with his young child before Belle entered the shop at around 3pm wearing a balaclava. He went on to stab Josh in the neck in a pre-meditated attack, following a long-standing dispute between the pair.
According to the BBC, Josh’s barber spotted a man wearing a balaclava creeping through the door and initially thought it was a “joke”, until he saw the large kitchen knife he was holding.
Josh was stabbed in the neck just as he swivelled round on his chair to see what was going on. The knife fell to the ground as the pair fought each other, before Josh picked it up and chased Belle out of the shop.
Josh’s child had seen the attack unfold, and was heard by witnesses saying “that’s my dad” while visibly upset.
Belle was driven to the scene by his partner, Tenika Parker. Having seen Josh enter the barbershop, the pair drove to the address of man called Daniel Cooper who provided Belle with the balaclava and knife that would be used minutes later to murder Josh. Parker drove Belle back to the barbershop before helping him get away after the stabbing.
Belle was arrested in Pincott Road, Wimbledon, on Monday, 8th July, while Cooper was arrested on 11th July after handing himself in to police.
Parker was first arrested by police on Sunday 7th July while driving through Poplar in the same car used in the attack. She was subsequently rearrested on 2nd October and charged with perverting the course of justice after CCTV footage showed her attempting to clean her car after the attack to remove any evidence.
Parker, 39, and Cooper, 22, stood trial alongside Belle. Cooper will be sentenced at the Old Bailey tomorrow (Friday 6th) while Belle and Parker will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, 30th July.
In the days following the murder, Josh was described by those who knew him as “a young Black man who did good for his community and looked after his children”.
Detective Inspector Chris Griffith, who led the investigation, said: “This was a savage and pre-planned attack, committed in broad daylight and with scant regard for passers-by. What took place left the local community reeling, and two young children without their father.
“My heart goes out to Josh’s family and friends. He was a loving parent, whose life was ended in the most horrendous way.
“I hope that today’s result provides Josh’s family with some closure, and allows the community to feel safer knowing that Belle is no longer free to commit such heinous crimes.”
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