Drill rapper who appeared on Tim Westwood’s YouTube channel is jailed for life for murdering filmmaker, 21, who was stabbed to death in front of parents on school run
- Rapper Jahtel Williamson, 26, was part of a gang who killed music filmmaker
- Williamson appeared on ex-BBC Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood’s YouTube channel
- Attackers were members of Lewisham’s ‘B-Side’ gang – rivals with ‘Splash Gang’
- Victim Dean Pascal-Modeste, 21, murdered in 2017, was not part of gangs’ rivalry
- Attackers were armed with machetes and ‘ambushed’ him on foot and mopeds
A drill rapper who appeared on former BBC Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood’s YouTube channel was jailed for at least 23 years for murdering a filmmaker today.
Dean Pascal-Modeste, 21, was ‘hunted down’ and stabbed 14 times in Mottingham, southeast London on 24 February 2017.
New-York born Jahtel Williamson, 26, was part of a gang of killers who set upon Mr Pascal-Modeste armed with knives and machetes.
The victim died at the scene from his injuries including wounds to his left lung and head injuries.
Williamson fled to the US after the murder and was extradited back to the UK from Washington DC on 1 May last year.
The killing was motivated by rivalry between two gangs even though Mr Pascal-Modeste was not involved in either.
Members of Jahtel Williamson’s B-Side Gang during a crib session. The Lewisham-based gang had a long rivalry with Grove Park’s ‘Splash Gang’ which led to the killing – even though victim Dean Pascal-Modeste, 21, was involved in neither
Producer Dean Pascal-Modeste, 21, was ‘hunted down’ and stabbed 14 times in Lambscroft Avenue, Mottingham, southeast London
The attackers were members of Lewisham’s ‘B-Side’ gang who have a long-standing rivalry with Grove Park’s ‘Splash Gang’.
Both gangs had featured in YouTube rap recording sessions with Westwood and had traded barbs with each other in online videos.
Williamson denied but was convicted of murder by an Old Bailey jury.
He appeared in court via-videolink from HMP Belmarsh wearing a grey tracksuit, as Judge Philip Katz jailed him for life with a minimum of 23 years, minus 601 days he served while on remand.
The judge described Mr Pascal-Modeste as a ‘much loved son and brother with a promising future in music.
‘He hoped for a career in music and had all the talent and passion to make that career a reality.
‘He was excited about his life and what he wanted to achieve. Dean was not a gang member, he did not carry knives and did not have any trouble with police.
Corey Donaldson (left) and Alex Scott (right), both 23, of Lewisham, southeast London, were both jailed for life with a minimum of 18 years for the murder following a trial in November 2017
‘His family sat through three trials with dignity as you literally tried to get away with murder.
‘You have never shown any remorse as you lied to the jury and did not pause to show any empathy for the victim.’
The victim’s older sister Nicola spoke of the ‘horrific’ impact his death has had on his family.
‘It should have been a time of joy, making plans for Dean’s 22nd birthday. Instead on Dean’s birthday we had the heart wrenching ordeal of visiting the crime scene to lay flowers and messages. It is indescribable.’
Mr Pascal-Modeste was described as a ‘talented and special soul’ with a ‘generous charismatic personality and a smile to match.’
Kai Stewart, 22, was earlier jailed for at least 17 years after he was also convicted of murder
Dean’s sister continued: ‘We are all now a shell of who we once were and have ended up as completely different people. Daily life is an ongoing struggle, seeing large groups of boys in the street leaves me with a sense of panic and danger.
‘We feel his loss everywhere we go. It has been a devastating rollercoaster of ups and downs and will continue to be so for the rest of our lives.’
Corey Donaldson and Alex Scott, both 23, of Lewisham, southeast London, were both jailed for life with a minimum of 18 years for the murder following a trial in November 2017.
Kai Stewart, 22, of Bellingham, and Devone Pusey, 25, of Beckenham, were earlier jailed for at least 17 and 20 years respectively after they too were convicted of murder.
Prosecutor Crispin Aylett, KC, said at the start of Williamson’s trial: ‘The time has come for him too to face the music.’
He told jurors: ‘On 24 February 2017, five-and-a-half years ago, 21-year-old Dead Pascal-Modeste travelled from his home in Barking, east London, to Grove Park in Southeast London.’
‘Dean had been looking to make a name for himself in the music business.
‘He and two friends of his had gone to take part in a recording of a music video that was to be placed on the internet on YouTube.
Devone Pusey, 25, of Beckenham, was earlier jailed for at least 20 years after he was convicted of murder
‘Suddenly from nowhere, two mopeds appeared. The mopeds pulled up not far from where Dean and his friend was sitting. One pulled a gun and pointed it at Dean.
‘Six young youths appeared on foot and chased them. That group also seemed to come from nowhere. Those on the mopeds were acting in concert. This was an ambush on two fronts.
‘The prosecution allege that the defendant, Jahtel Williamson, was one of those on foot.
‘Witnesses described seeing that they were running like mad.
‘Dean was hunted down and surrounded. A group of youths crowded around him and attacked him.
‘During this pitiless attack Dean sustained 14 separate stab wounds.
‘Two blows were struck with such force to split Dean’s ribs and penetrate his left lung.
‘Dean was left lying on the ground bleeding to death. An ambulance was called and a doctor arrived at the scene. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The B-side gang appeared on former BBC Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood’s YouTube channel
‘This attack occurred in broad daylight at around 3:45 in the afternoon.
‘Witnesses had been collecting their children from school. This attack was as outrageous as it was brazen.
‘This was a coordinated attack in which a number of those involved were armed with either guns or knives.
‘This savage attack you may think bears all the hallmarks of gang related violence. However there’s no evidence that his attackers would even have known who he was.
‘This murder has its roots in a poisonous feud. Dean was stabbed to death not for who he was, or anything he had said or done, but murdered because of the company he had kept.’
Both Splash and B-Side gang members made music videos on YouTube that resulted in an ongoing feud.
‘One such video featured the well-known disc-jockey, Tim Westwood,’ said Mr Aylett.
‘From the film, it can be seen that the musicians – who are wearing masks and scarves across their faces – were rather less keen on being identifiable than Mr Westwood himself.’
The Splash gang had labelled one of their music sessions as a ‘Westwood Crib Session’ in which disparaging remarks were made regarding ‘B-Side paigon ho’ – a reference to prostitutes.
Donaldson, Scott, Kai Stewart, also known as “KK”, were identified as members of the B-Side gang who attacked Pascal-Modeste shortly after the attack.
Williamson, formerly of Greenhaven Drive, Greenwich, denied but was convicted of murder.
Judge Katz added: ‘This is another loving family struggling to come to terms with the loss of their innocent son because thugs like you walk the streets with vicious knives all too ready to use them to stab and kill.’
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