Father recalls christening death

Zainab Kalokoh fell to the floor with the baby

The father of a baby cradled in the arms of a woman who was shot at a christening party tried to tackle her killers, the Old Bailey has heard.

Alfred Sesay said his partner pleaded with him not to confront the gang who burst into the party in Peckham, south London, in August 2005.

Earlier the court heard Zainab Kalokoh, 31, was holding her baby niece when she was fatally shot in the head.

Four youths, aged between 15 and 17, deny murder and conspiracy to rob.

Speech making

Mr Sesay told the court: "I was going round to the fire doors to confront them.

"My partner tried to stop me and my watch loosened and fell off.

"I tried to get away from her, but by the time I got there, they were already gone."

About 100 people were in the hall on the Wood Dene Estate on 27 August for the christening party of Mr Sesay's six-month-old daughter.

Moments after making a speech he said he heard a bang and an armed gang crashed through the doors.

Panicked guests

"I thought it was a light bulb exploding. The next thing I remember was Zainab was on the floor. When she fell, the baby fell with her," he said.

He then described how the men shouted "everyone on the floor" as the guests panicked trying to get out of the hall.

The prosecution alleged the gang then stripped the guests of valuables and left with the items in bin bags.

The four defendants cannot be named due to their age.

The case continues.