BNP member jailed after vowing to “kill all black people”

 

"He has previously demonstrated a high level of aggression towards black people that appears, given his words, to be based on their race."

These are the words of Detective Sergeant Nick Bonomini, of Scotland Yard's Serious Crime Directorate describing 24-year-old John Laidlaw who was convicted this month at the Old Bailey on three counts of the attempted murder of Abu Kamara, 44, Emma Sheridan, 26, and Evans Baptiste, 22 during a shooting spree in north London. Laidlaw had a history of violence and convictions going back to the age of 14. Having served numerous terms in prison, he had previously been found guilty of public order offences, burglary, property damage, 16 counts of theft and knife possession and seven armed street muggings. In 2004, Laidlaw, who was at one time an amateur boxer, verbally abused African motorist, Ayandele Pascall, with racist language before punching and kicking him.

On the day of the shootings, Laidlaw shot 44-year-old social worker, Abu Kamara in Upper Street, Islington because one of his friends bags had brushed against one of Laidlaw’s friend. He reacted by shooting Mr Kamara. The bullet deflected off his chin and eventually became lodged near his spinal column. 30 minutes after this incident, Laidlaw was recognised by Evans Baptiste, a man he had attacked earlier in the year with a hammer. Laidlaw shot at him but the bullet missed and hit 26-year-old Emma Sheridan in the back.

Police documents say that Laidlaw was foaming at the mouth when he was finally arrested. He was ordered to serve a minimum of 15 years in prison for the attacks. Less than three weeks before the attacks Laidlaw was given a 18-month supervision order for racially aggravated actual bodily harm and abuse relating to his attack on Ayandele Pascall.