Bradford City striker facing LIFE SENTENCE

[El Presidente]

Gavin Grant convicted of a shooting MURDER

 

[Scotty Mac]

bloody hell

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Awaits BensGrandad's post "What he does off the pitch is irrelevant as long as he scores goals. He'd be welcome here".

 

[eastlondonseagull]

Nothing on news websites yet about conviction...

 

[Tooting Gull]

Good edit. Still, let's blame Millwall for everything anyway, it's more fun...

 

[sam86]

A Bradford City striker gunned down a rival in the street for “disrespecting” his best friend, a court has been told.

Gavin Grant, 26, shot 21-year-old Leon Labastide in the back outside his mother’s front door, it is claimed.

Mr Labastide, known as ‘Playboy’, was on the phone to a friend at the time of the attack on the Stonebridge Estate in northwest London.

But the motive for the murder on May 22, 2004, remained unknown until a new witness came forward four years later, jurors were told.

Grant signed for Bradford in February this year.

Prosecutor Stephen Batten said: “It looks as though ‘Playboy’ was deliberately targeted.

“Somebody went looking for him and took him down outside his own home and they shot him at fairly close range.

“The two men who were seen running away don’t appear to have been wearing balaclavas. All this smacks of an attack that might be in revenge.

“One obvious explanation is that Leon Labastide had done something to offend other people and disrespected somebody.

“However the investigation in 2004 produced no concrete evidence that would justify charges or bringing anybody to court.”

The new witness, who was a 16-year-old girl at the time, told police that the dispute centred on Grant’s best friend Romaine Whyte.

On the afternoon of May 22, 2004, Whyte crashed his motorcycle just yards from Mr Labastide’s home in Mordaunt Road, Harlesden, northwest London.

That evening while he was being treated in hospital three men raided Whyte’s home in Thurlby Close, Harrow, jurors were told.

His partner Sabrina Edwards, his sister and the 16 year-old girl were forced to jump to safety from a first-floor window.

“The motive for killing Leon Labastide the next day was simply revenge, it being the belief that Leon Labastide was responsible for that raid,” said Mr Batten.

Mobile phone evidence shows Leon Labastide was in the area of the flat shortly before the raid, the court heard.

Whyte’s partner and sister were taken to hospital with leg injuries while the 16-year-old girl was taken to the home of Whyte’s cousin Damien Williams, 31.

It is claimed that Williams urged Grant and their friend Gareth Downie, 25, to take revenge. Jurors heard Mr Labastide was shot at 10.25pm outside his mother’s front door at Mordaunt Road, Harlesden.

The two fatal bullet wounds passed from his back to his front and he died half an hour later in hospital.

Witnesses said two gunmen were seen running from the scene after the attack.

Grant and Downie returned to Williams’ house “in a sweat” and discussed getting rid of clothing and the gun, the court heard.

Mr Batten told the jury that the case against all three men depended on the key witness, who will give evidence from behind screens using the false name Susan Norwich.

Downie, of Markby Road, Birmingham, and Grant, from Kenton, London, deny the murder of Mr Labastide.

Damien Williams, 31, then living in Milton Avenue, Harlesden, northwest London, and now living in south London, denies conspiracy to murder Mr Labastide.

Christ.

 

[El Presidente]

He was at Millwall when it happened, but they released him and he now plays for Bradford

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

Is this the player that they signed without learning about his forthcoming trial. Unbelievable.

 

[eastlondonseagull]

Gavin Grant convicted of a shooting MURDER

Where does it say 'convicted'? He's at the Old Bailey, I believe.

 

[Scotty Mac]

Is this the player that they signed without learning about his forthcoming trial. Unbelievable.

how the f*** can you sign someone without knowing they are being put up for MURDER?!

that is a SERIOUS oversight from bradfords secretary there!

 

[El Presidente]

how the f*** can you sign someone without knowing they are being put up for MURDER?!

that is a SERIOUS oversight from bradfords secretary there!

MORE importantly, how can you sign someone who is so SHIT, ONE goal in 35 games.

 

[Gwylan]

how the f*** can you sign someone without knowing they are being put up for MURDER?!

Now THAT is a triallist

 

[El Presidente]

Where does it say 'convicted'? He's at the Old Bailey, I believe.

Robin from TalkSport TWEETED the conviction

 

[Barrel of Fun]

It is not the first time either!

Bradford sign jail-bound player - North Stand Chat

 

[Scotty Mac]

MORE importantly, how can you sign someone who is so SHIT, ONE goal in 35 games.

we've kept on gary hart haven't we?

 

[Man of Harveys]

He's been found GUILTY now - now that is pwopa naughty

 

[BensGrandad]

If the man has been found guilty of murder he has only 1 sentence so will be no use to any club.

Wont bother to respond to Hans Kray Fan Club because I think that he just shows himself up as a prat who knows nothing especially about me.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

If the man has been found guilty of murder he has only 1 sentence so will be no use to any club.

Wont bother to respond to Hans Kray Fan Club because I think that he just shows himself up as a prat who knows nothing especially about me.

Er? I think you just did?

Anyway, just to clarify - you wouldn't want him because he'd 'be of no use', rather than, 'because he SHOT someone dead'?

I just assumed that as you were so keen that we sign King and Hughes, you'd want this chap, to complete the dream forward line.

 

[eastlondonseagull]

Robin from TalkSport TWEETED the conviction

Shit.

.

 

[El Presidente]

There's only one person MAN ENOUGH to interview him

Tooled Up......Maintaining Respect.....Nothing to do with Civilians.....Geezer......Do it again and it's a CHINESE BURN etc

Also expect a HAND WRINGING comment from Graham Taylor about......football family must stick together........PFA commitment to all it's members.....lesbian lavatory lust..........pressure on players today......short career so you need a back up trade etc