A GUNMAN, believed to be behind a string of gangland killings, has been jailed for life at the Old Bailey.

Tayo James, aged 27, of Sidcup Road, Eltham, was found guilty of murdering Frank Long, and sentenced on December 17.

Mr Long was shot twice in the chest from point-blank range, outside his flat on the Tulse Hill estate on February 12, this year.

James believed Mr Long owed him £4,000 for recovering his Audi S3, which had been stolen in autumn 2000, and was furious because Mr Long had not paid.

The killer who has previous convictions for drugs, gun crimes and assaults on police, had earlier warned a friend "I'm going to blaze Frank".

After an argument with Mr Long earlier that evening, James returned and when Mr Long went outside to speak to him he was gunned down.

James was arrested several hours later while driving through Bromley and, when questioned, denied involvement. But forensic scientists found a speck of firearms residue in the pocket of his jacket.

As the jury came back with its guilty verdict, screams from the public gallery included Mr Long's girlfriend who roared: "Rot in hell."

Sentencing him Judge David Stokes, QC, said: "You have been found guilty of a cold-blooded murder. You clearly have scant regard for the sanctity of human life."

DCI Phil Fitzgerald, who led the team of detectives which tracked down James, said: "Operation Trident knows he was clearly involved in a drugs and gun culture lifestyle and is a very dangerous man.

"I have absolutely no doubt at all the jury has saved a number of lives by putting him in prison for life."

"Mr Long was trying to withdraw from that lifestyle, it's easy to get drawn into it, but a lot harder getting out alive."

December 20, 2001 10:33