IPSWICH, UK – A teenager accused of a brutal gang-related murder was out on bail for another violent attack at the time of the killing. Alfie Hammett, 19, is facing a life sentence for the street slaying of Ray Quigley, 18, which took place in front of horrified shoppers in Ipswich in January last year, while he was living in the Suffolk town after being banned from Norwich under police bail conditions following a previous assault.
The horrific incident is part of a vicious gang feud in the region, which has seen deadly clashes and retaliations between rival groups. The murder of Quigley, who had associations with a gang called Only The Money, known as OTM, was described in court as a premeditated attack, driven by deep-seated animosity between the two groups.
During the trial, jurors heard how Hammett and his accomplice, Joshua Howell, 18, set out to find Quigley, wearing face masks and with hoods up. The prosecution alleged that Hammett had pulled a knife and began the attack while Howell provided an intimidating presence, preventing any of Quigley’s friends from intervening to help. The victim, who had sustained four stab wounds, ultimately bled to death in a nearby shop.
As the trial continued, Hammett’s father revealed to the court that he suspected his son’s involvement after checking a tracking device he had secretly placed on his moped. The court also learned that when confronted by his father, Hammett initially denied his involvement in the attack, but later admitted to having been in the city center at the time of the incident. Despite refusing to give evidence in court, both Hammett and Howell were convicted of murder and carrying an offensive weapon, with Howell also found guilty of threatening another person with a bladed article.
The sentence for the murder case is mandatory detention for life, with the minimum term to be set in the following month when they return to Ipswich Crown Court for sentencing. Hammett, who had admitted an assault occasioning grievous bodily harm in relation to a previous offence, is expected to be sentenced for both offenses at the same time.
The history of violence, the gang feud, and the devastating impact of such crimes on the community underscore the need for measures to address gang-related activities and prevent further bloodshed. The upcoming sentencing will serve as a pivotal moment for justice, providing closure for the victim’s family and sending a strong message about the consequences of gang-related violence in the region.