Men deny murdering woman in drive-by shooting

Three men have pleaded not guilty to the murder of a woman who was shot outside a church in north-west London.

Michelle Sadio, 44, was killed as she stood among a crowd of mourners after a wake at the River of Life Elim Pentecostal Church in Harlesden on 14 December 2024.

Appearing via videolink at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, Tahjin Sommersall, 18, of Feltham, Shaquille Sutherland, 25, and Perry Allen-Thomas, 26, both of Wembley, all denied a charge of murder, while Mr Sommersall also pleaded not guilty to possessing a firearm on the same date.

They are expected to stand trial in January.

The three men also denied the attempted murder of two men who were shot and injured outside the church.

All the defendants appeared by videolink from HMP Belmarsh, except for Mr Allen-Thomas who appeared by link from HMP Brixton.

A fourth defendant - Amir Salem, 19, also of Wembley - is charged with murder and two counts of attempted murder, but did not enter any pleas to the charges.

On the day of the shootings, a wake was being held for 80-year-old Dianne Boatong who had died nine days earlier.

At about 17:00 GMT, a group of young people arrived and congregated in the area outside the church.

They had been denied entry as some were drinking and smoking, the Old Bailey heard.

Just after 21:10 GMT, a dark-coloured Kia pulled up and shots were fired into the crowd before the vehicle drove away, the court heard.

Ms Sadio, who had been standing with mourners, was fatally shot and died at the scene.

Children as young as five years old were said to be among the crowd when the shooting happened, the court heard.

The next hearing for the four defendants will be for further case management on 10 July.

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