Richard Holmes

Richard Holmes, a 21-year-old from Chingford, east London, was shot dead on 4 November 2005 on the Chingford Hall estate in a revenge attack triggered by a rap lyrics dispute.

A friend of his, 16-year-old aspiring rapper Sabar Shah (aka Shak), had written lyrics disrespecting local grime MC Dwayne Mahorn (MC Durrty Goodz), accusing him of losing touch with his roots. Mahorn confronted Shah and demanded an apology, which was refused. Later that evening, a group of Mahorn’s associates ambushed Holmes and his friends. Holmes was shot three times. In the leg (with a Mac-10 machine gun), arm, and fatally in the back (with a handgun) as he tried to run away; the bullet passed through his heart.

Carl Dobson (known as the grime rapper Crazy Titch) and Anthony Green were convicted of the murder at the Old Bailey in November 2006 and each sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 30 years.

Mahorn was cleared of murder and manslaughter. The judge described the killing as a “cold-blooded” and “ruthless” operation driven by “revenge, false pride and misplaced loyalty.”

Rest in peace Richard. You will not be forgotten.