DJ Didi Parkes denies involvement in Sharma’arke murder

Published: 27 May 2010
by DAVID ST GEORGE

A DJ yesterday (Wednesday) denied being the gunman responsible for the fatal shooting of school pupil Sharma’arke Hassan.

Didi Parkes admitted at the Old Bailey that he was at an address not far from the spot where the 17-year-old former Acland Burghley student was targeted. But he rejected any suggestion that he was involved in the attack in Gilbey’s Yard in May 2008. 

Known as Sharkey, the victim lived with his family in Agar Grove. He was killed by a bullet to the back of the head. 

The shooting was for “revenge and retribution” following the beating up earlier that day of a 15-year-old boy. 

Sharma’arke may not have been the intended target, the court heard. 

Quizzed by prosecutor Crispin Aylett, QC, Parkes, of Chichele Road, Cricklewood, told the jury he handed himself in to police in July 2008 and on legal advice made “no comment” answers to questions. 

Parkes claimed this was “because police get things twisted up and wrong” and not because he had anything to hide.

He said he was in Camden on the night of the shooting to visit his cousin Chen Shire, 23, of Carroll Close, Kentish Town. He then went to the home of other family members in Arlington Road.

Parkes was there with a 17-year-old – he cannot be identified because of his age – when Sharma’arke, who he did not know, was shot.

He insisted: “I don’t know anything about ­firing guns.”

Mr Aylett screened CCTV footage showing a shadowy figure escaping from the shooting scene – one of two suspects – and going down Jamestown Road.

“That’s you isn’t it,” said the prosecutor.

Parkes replied: “It ­definitely is not me.”

He, together with Shire and the 17-year-old, deny murdering Sharma’arke.

The trial continues.