Gang jailed after man shot and stabbed at Hackney Station

Elisandro Pinto Alves, Hanzell Greenaway, Jaheim Thomas and Marvin Edokpolo were convicted of attempting to murder a 20-year-old man at Hackney Station on March 1 last year. 

British Transport Police (BTP) said Edokpolo orchestrated the attack when he found out the victim was on a train going to Hackney.  

Greenaway, Thomas and Pinto Alves were at a nearby McDonald's when Edokpolo phoned them. They then went to the station to look for the 20-year-old man. 

At around 1pm the victim was waiting for a lift, he had been made aware three teenagers were approaching him and drew a knife of his own.

Greenaway and Pinto Alves then approached him and began slashing at him with knives.

The victim managed to retreat to the lift alongside a 64-year-old woman, who he used a human shield as Thomas proceeded to shoot a gun into the lift. 

The woman was unharmed but the victim suffered life-threatening injuries, including stab wounds and a gunshot to the leg. 

He survived thanks to life saving treatment from paramedics at the scene and on the way to hospital. 

Jaheim Thomas, who fired the gun into the lift (Image: BTP) Senior investigating officer Paul Attwell said: “This was a shocking attack in broad daylight that was fortunate not to be fatal, not only to the intended victim but the innocent witness in the lift.” 

The entire incident was caught on CCTV but the three attackers had fled by the time BTP arrived. 

Detectives retrieved evidence including a knife, a phone charger, blood, a bullet and bullet casing from the scene. 

Using CCTV, mobile phone enquiries and vehicle tracking the movements of Pinto Alves, Greenaway, and Thomas between London, Dunstable and Folkestone.   

Two days later a vehicle was traced to London and inside they found Greenaway, Thomas and Pinto Alves. 

Pinto Alves who slashed the victim with a knife (Image: BTP) Underneath the vehicle officers found the gun used in the attack. 

Edokpolo was later arrested on March 7.   

The three attackers were found guilty of attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, two counts of possession of a pointed or bladed article in a public place, and violent disorder. 

Edokpolo was found guilty of attempted murder. 

Edokpolo, who orchestrated the attack (Image: BTP) Last Wednesday (August 7) at Snaresbrook Crown Court the following sentences were handed down: 

• Elisandro Pinto Alves, aged 18, of Overbury Street, Hackney, was sentenced to 17 years in prison.   
• Hanzell Greenaway, aged 18, of Munro Way, Hackney, was sentenced to 19 years.  
• Jaheim Thomas, aged 18, Cassland Road, Hackney, was sentenced to 19 years.    
• Marvin Edokpolo, aged 19 of Dalson Lane, Hackney, was sentenced to 22 years and three months. 

The judge ordered for the men to serve two-thirds of their sentences behind bars, with the remainder on licence.   

Greenaway who slashed the victim with a knife (Image: BTP) Mr Atwell added: “Thankfully, incidents of violence involving firearms on the rail network are extremely rare, but when they do occur we will do everything in our power to bring those responsible to justice.   

“This was a highly complex investigation and I thank those at BTP who worked tirelessly to build this case.

"This outcome reflects their hard work and professionalism, and I’m grateful to see these sentencings handed down.”