Gang Leader Who Used Dog To Kill Is Given Life.

Gang leader who used dog to kill is given life
Paul Cheston, Courts Correspondent
19.03.10

Weapon dog: Man guilty of teenager´s murder
A thug who unleashed his vicious dog to help him murder a teenager was jailed for at least 24 years at the Old Bailey today.

Chrisdian Johnson, 22, was trapped by new techniques in analysing dog DNA, used for the first time in a murder trial.

Johnson, of south Lambeth, was convicted of murdering Christopher Ogunyemi, known as Seyi and attempting to murder his victm´s friend Hurui Hiyabu, 17.

Sentencing Johnson to life, Judge Christopher Moss said he had no doubt the thug had deliberately trained his dog to attack and “bring down your prey”.

The judge added: “The court has heard no evidence to explain the emnity between you and your victims save that you were members of rival gangs which each claimed dominion over the streets of south London.

“This is a social problem that blights many urban areas of our cities. The courts can not cure the problem but it can react firmly and decisively by imposing severe punishments when murderous young men like you are brought to justice before them.”

Johnson had unleashed Tyson, his cross Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Bull Mastiff, in Larkhall park, Stockwell to chase, bring down and savage his 16-year-old victim.

He then stabbed Seyi six times and left him to die at the scene. Mr Hiyabu was stabbed nine times but amazingly survived, while two other friends, aged 15 and 17, were also stabbed and lived.

All three of these victims were bitten by Tyson and the gang´s other dog Mia, a brindle Staffordshire Terrier.

The judge passed an order transfering ownership of Tyson to the police and he is now likely to be destroyed. Less than a year before the murder Johnson had been issued with a court order under the Dangerous Dogs Act that said Tyson should be leashed and muzzled in public.

The sentence comes a week after Home Secretary Alan Johnson announced measures to combat the growing menace of dangerous dogs.