Life term for carer 'execution'

Denty carried out a "public execution", the judge said.

A carer who shot a man dead in a "public execution" near an east London nightclub has been jailed for life.

Andrew Denty, 30, killed Curtis Smith as they left Club Red in Limehouse while a Radio One DJ played inside.

The Old Bailey heard both men looked after Denty's paralysed brother - but the killer had become jealous about his sibling's reliance on Mr Smith, 36.

Denty, described as an "immensely dangerous gangster", must serve at least 35 years for the crime last July.

This case is as bizarre as it is brutal - bizarre in that one carer of a victim of gun crime is gunned down by the other carer Prosecutor Aftab Jafferjee QC

Judge Richard Hone told Denty: "You are a cold-blooded, arrogant and remorseless killer.

"You wanted complete control and you were prepared to go to the ultimate length and kill an innocent, good man in order to demonstrate your power and exert your influence over others."

The judge warned he would only ever be released if the parole board thought it was safe, and added: "You are an immensely dangerous individual and any decision to allow your release will be a heavy responsibility."

Mr Smith, a father-of-two, was shot after helping disabled Clifford Denty into an adapted Mercedes car-van following a night out at the club.

Clifford Denty is paralysed from the neck down after being shot himself in the past.

Aftab Jafferjee QC, prosecuting, told jurors: "This case is as bizarre as it is brutal - bizarre in that one carer of a victim of gun crime is gunned down by the other carer.

Luxurious lifestyle

"It is brutal in that Curtis Smith is effectively executed, shot in the back of his head by a Mac-10 machine gun."

He added Denty had "grown to despise" Mr Smith.

Curtis Smith died from gunshot injuries to his neck and head.

"He began to manifest his attitude in a number of ways. There were cruel jibes and physical threats.

"But such was the sense of duty the deceased had that he continued to look after Clifford."

Denty also feared Mr Smith may expose him as a drug dealer.

The killer and his paraplegic brother ran a drug dealing operation that Judge Hone said funded a "lifestyle of luxury and self-indulgence".

Denty's "henchman", cousin Emmanuel Okot, 25, of also of Waterloo, received a three year term for hiding the gun.

It will run consecutively with a five-year jail term he is already serving for drug dealing.