Ex-Millwall striker Gavin Grant given life for gangland murder of Leon Labastide in Brent (From Harrow Times): "PROFESSIONAL footballer from Kenton who shot dead a gang rival in Brent has been jailed for life.
Gavin Grant, 26, gunned down former friend Leon Labastide outside his mother's house on the Stonebridge Estate in May 2004.
Grant, of Shrewsbury Avenue, continued his promising football career after the shooting, playing for Millwall, Gillingham, and as recently as May turning out for Bradford City.
But a jury at the Old Bailey decided last week Grant and Birmingham resident Gareth Downie, 25, had been contracted to carry out the killing in revenge for an earlier burglary alleged to have been orchestrated by Mr Labastide.
A third man, Damien Williams, 33, of Bermondsey, was found guilty of conspiracy to murder having arranged for Grant and Downie to lie in wait for the victim and shoot him dead.
The trio were all jailed for life, and were told by Judge Peter Beaumont they must serve at least 25 years behind bars."
Gavin Grant, 26, gunned down former friend Leon Labastide outside his mother's house on the Stonebridge Estate in May 2004.
Grant, of Shrewsbury Avenue, continued his promising football career after the shooting, playing for Millwall, Gillingham, and as recently as May turning out for Bradford City.
But a jury at the Old Bailey decided last week Grant and Birmingham resident Gareth Downie, 25, had been contracted to carry out the killing in revenge for an earlier burglary alleged to have been orchestrated by Mr Labastide.
A third man, Damien Williams, 33, of Bermondsey, was found guilty of conspiracy to murder having arranged for Grant and Downie to lie in wait for the victim and shoot him dead.
The trio were all jailed for life, and were told by Judge Peter Beaumont they must serve at least 25 years behind bars."
