Four facing trial over young lovers’ killing

Wednesday, 08 August 2012

FOUR men accused of the murder of a young couple in their own home are due to stand trial in November.

Jordan Jackson, 20, and Leyla Djemal-Northcott, 21, were shot dead at their flat in Menlo Gardens, Upper Norwood, on March 7, 2006.

Jordan was shot as he answered the door and Leyla as she lay in bed.

Jordan’s brother Keiran was also shot but survived.

Michael Ennis-Simpson, 26, of Plummer Road, Brixton, Shaun Sutton, 37, of Wynton Gardens, South Norwood, Leon Russell, 29, of no fixed address, and Lee Russell, 29, of Lyham Road, Brixton, are charged with two counts of murder and one of attempted murder.

The families of the couple wrote to the judge asking for the trial to be heard at the Old Bailey instead of Woolwich Crown Court because of travel difficulties.

But Mr Justice Fulford ruled the case would be heard in Woolwich because it was less expensive.

The Judge said: “The problem is the cost and difficulty of transferring four Category A prisoners across London to this court when there is a prison next door.”

The four accused appeared at the Old Bailey by video link from prison for a plea and case management hearing.

None of them entered pleas and the hearing was adjourned until September 26.

The trial, which is due to start on November 13, is expected to last between four and five weeks.

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