A rapper whose father’s death sparked nationwide riots in 2011 has been arrested on gun charges.
Mark Duggan’s son Kemani Duggan, 23, was sentenced to five years in prison after pleaded guilty to possession of a Tokarev pistol and 22 bullet cartridges with intent to cause fear of violence.
His associate Abdou Bojang, 22, of Hackney, east London, was jailed for the same sentence after pleading guilty to possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition without firearm certification.
Duggan, known as Bandokay, was just 10 when his father Mark, 29, was shot dead by police in Tottenham 13 years ago.
The Old Bailey heard that the two defendants were charged after police raided Bojang’s parents’ flat in Hackney on March 21 last year.
The firearm and ammunition were discovered in an underground community parking lot on a concrete ledge inside a JD Sports bag that also contained two-meter-long knives.
Duggan’s DNA was found on the gun slide and he was arrested at Gatwick Airport on January 13. A Snapchat photo of the same gun was also discovered on his phone.
Just before the gun was found, Bojang texted Duggan: “Hey bro, where are you, there’s feds on my block, akh. I might be getting robbed.”
Prosecutor Diana Wilson said Duggan was a well-known rapper linked to the Old Farm Boys (OFB) criminal gang, based on the Broadwater Farm Estate in Tottenham, north London.
She said: “The prosecution’s expert concluded that there is no doubt that over the years he has been an older or senior gang member in the OFB.
“A consequence of this is that he would naturally be at a heightened risk of violence from rival gang members, which would be further compounded by his status as a successful training artist and son of Mark Duggan, which raises his profile for possible attackers. .”
Read more on Sky News:
Keir Starmer’s reveals new cabinet
Jay Slater’s family responded to the TikTok star
Killer nurse Lucy Letby sentenced again
Ms Wilson added: “As a result of his fame, he became a target of violence by others associated with urban street gangs.”
Wilson said Duggan’s plea was made on the basis that he was given the firearm and ammunition to protect himself.
The musician stated that he only carried the weapon to “scare off any possible aggressor”.
Duggan’s killing by police in 2011 sparked riots in London and other major cities. Photo: PA
The murder of Mark Duggan by an officer known only as V53 in August 2011 sparked riots in London and other English cities for almost a week.
His family, led by Duggan’s mother Pamela, were outraged by the 2014 inquest’s verdict that he was “lawfully killed”.
Mitigating, Gregory Fishwick said Kemani Duggan expressed in his lyrics the long-term effects of the loss of his father.
Sentencing, Judge Philip Katz KC said: “It is accepted that there were grounds for fear that people might try to attack you, Duggan.
“You have a high profile, arising not only from your own career as an artist in the drill rap genre, with all its gang associations, but also from your unfortunate life story.”
The pair waved to supporters in the public gallery as they were led away from the pier.
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
