A 48-YEAR-OLD trainee driving instructor who shot a man in the head before turning to a witness and saying “call the police – I have killed someone” has been jailed for a minimum of 21 years.
Gary Oxley was sentenced at the Old Bailey today after admitting murdering father-of-two Joseph Olliffe inside a Mottingham cafe.
Video: Gun left at murder scene
The killer from Bexhill-on-Sea walked into DA Sandwich Cafe in Court Road at around 3.45pm on March 4 before approaching the counter as if he was going to order food.
Instead he pulled a revolver from his waistband and turned to shoot Mr Olliffe twice in the side of the head.
Oxley claimed 35-year-old Mr Olliffe, who was from Bromley, had been threatening him and his family with violence over a £6,000 drug money debt.
Police confirmed Oxley had received a text message from Mr Olliffe only a few weeks before the shooting which read: “You're taking the p***. We will find you wherever you go – you and your family.”
Prosecutor Oliver Glasgow told the court: “When a cafe employee saw the defendant with the gun, he thought he was about to be shot.
“He asked the defendant if he was alright. Mr Oxley ignored him and turned around.
“Mr Olliffe had his back to the defendant and was completely unaware of the danger. After he was shot he collapsed onto the table.”
The court heard how Oxley then sat down, turned to the cafe employee and said “call the police - I have killed someone”.
Armed police arrived at the scene and arrested Oxley, who had already removed the remaining bullets from his gun to show officers he was no longer a danger.
Video: Witness speaks after shooting
During an interview at Lewisham police station, Oxley told officers he owed money.
Oxley said Olliffe had said he knew where Oxley’s girlfriend worked and his mum and dad would be in danger if the debt was not cleared.
He told one officer “they don't play by the rules” while telling another he was willing to give up his freedom to protect his family.
Giving Oxley a life sentence and telling him he must serve at least 21 years, Judge Peter Thornton said: “You killed in cold blood. You have taken a life and deprived a family of a loved one.
“It is clear you were being blackmailed and were scared for your own life and the lives of your loved ones.
“But the aggravating features are that this was premeditated, it was in a public place and in broad daylight.”
Oxley pleaded guilty to murder on September 4 but denied a charge of attempted murder which was later dropped by the prosecution.
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