Men accused of gunning down couple acquitted (From Croydon Guardian)

Men accused of gunning down couple in Upper Norwood acquitted

6:11pm Tuesday 30th October 2012 in News By Hannah Williamson

Four men accused of gunning down a young couple in their home, have walked free from court after judges ruled eyewitness evidence was flawed.

Jordan Jackson, 20, and his girlfriend of five years Leyla Djemal-Northcott, 21, were shot in their Menlo Gardens home on March 7, 2006.

The shooting took place at about 6.40am when masked gunmen stormed the couple's flat in Upper Norwood, shooting Jordan in the neck in the hallway and Leyla once in the head as she lay in bed.

Jordan's brother Kieran survived the attack, despite being shot from behind.

Identical twins Leon and Lee Russell, 29, Shaun Sutton, 37 and Michael Ennis-Simpson, 27, were due to stand trial next month.

They were each charged with two counts of murder and one of attempted murder.

But all four were acquitted on Tuesday after Lady Justice Rafferty, sitting with Mr Justice Mitting and Mr Justice Grigson, refused leave to appeal a previous ruling by Mr Justice Fulford, that evidence identifying Leon Russell as one of the two gunmen was inadmissible.

Lee Russell of Brixton, Leon Russell of no fixed address, Michael Ennis-Simpson of Brixton, and Shaun Sutton of South Norwood, had pleaded not guilty to all counts.