Paytak double murder – Hitman’s driver, Michael James, is jailed for 30 years

Published: 19 November, 2010
by TERRY MESSENGER

A MOTORCYCLIST who drove a hit man to the scene of a brutal killing in Holloway was yesterday (Thursday) jailed for life for murder and attempted murder.

Michael James must serve at least 30 years for his part in the killing of Ahmet Paytak and the shooting of his son Huseyin.

Kingston Crown Court heard how James, 31, drove the gunman to a shop in Hornsey Road where he shot and killed Ahmet, 50, and wounded Huseyin, then 21, in the leg.

The hit man remains at large.

The brutal slaying took place at 10.40pm at the Euro Wine and Food Store at the junction with Tollington Way.

The two men were believed to have been recruited to take revenge for a shooting earlier in the day in Clapton. 

It later emerged that Ahmet Paytak, of Skinner Street, Finsbury, who worked at the shop, was entirely innocent of any involvement in the violent fued.

Detective Inspector Joe Daly of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said: “Mr Paytak’s death was a tragic and senseless loss of life, which has devastated a family.”

In an “impact statement” read out in court, Mr Paytak’s daughter, Elif, said: “Our dad was a wonderful person. He was always a happy person and never complained about anything. Since dad has passed away we have not been the same. It wasn’t just our dad’s life that was ruined, but all four of our lives. Every day we wish that this was all a nightmare and we would wake up with our dad next to us.”

James, from Ursula Mews, Finsbury Park, pleaded not guilty, claiming that he was unaware his passenger was a hitman. 

In his defence he said that he believed they were going to steal a drugs cache from the shop and had no idea his pillion passenger was armed with a gun. 

He was captured after the bike was recovered from the River Lea and traced to him. 

It was a rare red and black Benelli TNT 1130cc and at the time of the offence there were only 112 in the entire UK and eight in London.

Police are offering a £20,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of others involved. 

Anyone with information is urged to contact the incident room on 020 8345 3734 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.