On Thursday 4 October 2007 a 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in the dock of the Old Bailey to deny murder.

He was arrested in Cambridge on August 8 and later charged with the killing. He spoke only to confirm his name and plead not guilty. Members of Mr Foster's family, who were in the court just a few feet from the defendant, sobbed during the short hearing.

Judge Martin Stephens QC set a provisional trial date of May 6 2008. The teenager, from Brixton, will appear again on November 2 2007 for a pre-trial hearing.

He was remanded in custody.

As he was led from the dock he waved to his mum, who was sitting in the public gallery.

... Marcus Garvey Way alleged assassin goes on trial ...

"Teen was 'shot six times over chain'
THE jury in the murder trial of 18-year-old Nathan Foster has been told the popular youth worker was shot six times in a row over a stolen gold chain.

The Old Bailey heard the 17-year-old accused of shooting dead the talented horserider from Brixton thought he was somehow involved in the theft and was seeking revenge.

Four witnesses picked his alleged killer out of a line-up, with one saying they were “110 per cent sure” he was the man, a court heard.

Jurors heard the gunman was “red in the eyes” when he screeched to a halt on his scooter, moments before pulling out a gun and opening fire on a group of teenagers after a row over a stolen gold chain.

The teen accused of the dad-of-one’s murder, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is said to have confronted the group after a piece of jewellery was snatched from his neck hours before.

Nathan, who helped teach youngsters how to ride at the Ebony Horse Club in Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, and worked with Lambeth council helping children with their homework, was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital on August 3, 2007.

The 17-year-old denies murder and the trial continues."

(Source: South London Press, 2 May 2008 (online version))


"Mum's alibi for murder trial son
THE MOTHER of a teenager accused of gunning down a youth worker in a row over a gold chain told a jury he was at home at the time of the murder.

The 17-year-old youth is accused of shooting dead young father Nathan Foster, 18, in a revenge attack after his expensive piece of jewellery was snatched from his neck in Brixton.

It is alleged the teenager – who cannot be named for legal reasons – grabbed a gun and confronted the group of youths he held responsible in Marcus Garvey Way on August 3 last year.

He opened fire on the group, hitting Mr Foster in the head, then fired a further four bullets into his back as the terrified victim tried to flee, the Old Bailey has heard.

The teenager chose not to give evidence but on Wednesday his mum told the court her son was in his bedroom just minutes before the murder and did not leave the house while she watched television between 10pm and 10.30pm.

The young mum denied her son rode a moped or kept body armour under his bed. But she admitted he had recently bought a £2,000 gold chain.

She said: “It was a prized possession. He didn’t complain that the chain had been taken off him that day. He would have told me because we always sit down and talk about things.”

The 17-year-old, from Brixton, denies murder and the trial continues."

(Source: South London Press, 9 May 2008 (online version))

"Streatham Hill teen guilty of killing dad-of-one
The family of an 18-year-old dad have paid tribute to him following the conviction of his Streatham Hill killer.

Junior Ashley Glasgow, from Angus House, New Park Road, was today found guilty at the Old Bailey of murdering Nathan Foster.

Mr Foster was shot six times after spending an evening out with pals on August 3 last year.

His mum Vanetta, sister Shannel and girlfriend Rochelle said in a statement: "Nathan was entering the prime time of his life with his young family, working in a job he loved and a network of close friends and family around him.

"All these positive things were taken away from him at the tender age of 18, with so much in front of him like sharing his one-year-old son's first day at nursery.

"Nathan had a real passion for working with children and young people, and believed like him they were misunderstood. He joined the Ebony Horse Club at the age of seven and won various competitions, before channelling his experiences with horses into engaging with local boys. This earned him loads of respect and Nathan was seen as a positive role model within the local community."

Mr Foster was killed after meeting friends in Marcus Garvey Way where he regularly hung around.

That night Glasgow rode into Marcus Garvey Way where he argued with Mr Foster's pal 18-year-old Kori Bell.

During the argument Glasgow's gold chain was taken by Mr Bell and Glasgow rode away without it, while Mr Foster stayed in the road chatting to his friends.

At around 10.10pm Glasgow returned riding a scooter with the number plate removed and wearing gloves.

Despite being Mr Bell had left, Glasgow pulled a handgun from his pocket and fired at the group.

The court heard that seven shots were fired, six hitting Mr Foster and one piercing his heart.

Glasgow then sped off.

Mr Foster was taken to King's College Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly before 11pm.

Glasgow was arrested by armed officers in Cambridge on August 8 after being identified by members of the public.

Detective Chief Inspector Adnan Qureshi, from Operation Trident who led the investigation, said: "This is an absolutely tragic case. Nathan had recently become a father and was giving something back to his community by working part time as a youth worker.

"I hope this conviction helps send a message to the community. In this trial witnesses were granted special measures that protected their identity. The measures that helped bring Nathan's family justice included voice distortion, use of fake names and giving evidence from behind a curtain.

"These measures gave eyewitnesses the confidence to give evidence to take a killer off the streets. There are other murders Trident is investigating where we know people saw who is responsible.

"I would ask those people to look at the courage shown in this case and inspire them to loosen the fear the gunmen hold over their community and take a killer of the streets."

Glasgow is due to be sentenced on June 6."

(Source: Streatham Guardian online, 9 May 2008)

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