A second man has been jailed for the murder of 20-year-old Otas Sarkus in Plaistow following a detailed investigation which used CCTV and forensic work to prove the suspects’ guilt.
Dean Adams, 33 (27.06.90) of Stevenage Road, E6 was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 29-and-a-half years following a hearing at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, 9 August. He had been found guilty of Otas’s murder and the attempted murder of a second man at the same court on 15 December 2022.
A second man, Deon Brisport, 30 (31.08.92) of Lauriston Road, E9, was jailed for life with a minimum of 32 years’ imprisonment after being sentenced at the Old Bailey on 1 June. He had also been found guilty of murder and attempted murder.
The two men carried out the drive-by shooting in east London on 18 August 2021.
Otas was standing with a group of friends in Raymond Road near Upton Park Station when they saw a white Volvo SUV being driven at speed.
The driver swerved towards them and hit a couple of parked cars as he did so.
Some of the group started to run but as the Volvo pulled alongside them, a window was wound down and multiple shots were fired. Otas was struck twice in the eye and another man, aged 18, was struck in the back.
Both victims were taken to hospital. The second man survived his injuries but Otas sadly died.
Detective Inspector Louise Caveen, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “Adams’ sentencing brings to a close this investigation. This was a senseless and brazen attack, carried out on a residential street in the heart of east London that cost one young man his life and left another seriously wounded.
“My thoughts remain with Otas’ family who have suffered the most terrible loss. While nothing can make up for the tragic loss they have suffered, I can only hope that seeing those responsible held to account in a court of law brings them some solace.”
The court heard how the Volvo used in the attack was dumped and set alight just over half a mile away in an effort to conceal evidence. It was also found to be displaying cloned number plates.
A forensic examination of the Volvo found gunshot residue near the rear passenger window. A jacket found on the back seat had Adams’ DNA on it.
The DNA was not the only evidence linking the defendants to the car.
Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command found out that the car had been given a parking ticket in the morning of 18 August, which confirmed where it had been parked.
CCTV footage was then obtained showing Adams and Brisport arriving together to collect it.
The investigation identified three phones, all of which were activated for the first time on the afternoon of the murder. They were only used for less than a six-hour period and were turned off just after midnight.
The phones were only used to contact each other and to book minicabs that assisted in taking Adams and Brisport away from the area of where the Volvo was dumped after the shooting.
It appears the use of pay as you go phones was a conscious effort to frustrate any future investigation. Analysis of their normal phones showed that neither were used at the time of the attack or in the lead up to it.
Detective Inspector Caveen added: “This was clearly an attack planned in advance. There can be no doubt that Adams and Brisport went out on that night to intentionally kill or seriously injure someone and had gone to some lengths to hide their involvement.
“They used a stolen car on cloned number plates. They set fire to it to hide evidence and bought phones specifically to communicate with each other.
“Their efforts were not successful. Our thorough investigation has picked apart every attempt they made to avoid detection.
“Such was the strength of the case against them that their defence entered no evidence at court.”
