Three jailed for assisting offenders in Rico Gordon murder in Bristol

Three men have been jailed for assisting the killers of Rico Gordon who was shot dead in Bristol in July 2011.

Sean Youngsam, 26, Courtney Ellis, 28, and Tafari Adams, 29, were all sentenced to seven years imprisonment yesterday (February 27).

The three, who are all from London, had stood trial at Bristol Crown Court for two weeks.

Rico, who was 21, and from London was killed on Stapleton Road, Bristol on Sunday 3 July 2011 after the St Paul's Carnival. Another member of the public passing the scene at the time also got shot in the leg.

Last August Shakah Anderson and Rickel Adams were convicted of his murder and are currently serving life imprisonment.

Shakah Anderson was also found guilty of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. Rickel Adams was found guilty of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and two charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Throughout the investigation officers from Avon and Somerset worked in close partnership with colleagues in the Brent borough of London and Bedfordshire and were provided significant support from the National Ballistics Intelligence Service.

Two firearms and 50 rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered as a direct result of the investigation and further firearms were recovered by the Metropolitan Police as a result of spin-off investigations.

Detective Superintendent Sue Scott said: "This result demonstrates our commitment to tackling not only those who carry and use firearms but those who assist dangerous offenders and try to cover up their crimes.

"Rico was an innocent victim caught in the crossfire and it is pure luck that more deaths or injuries did not happen that night.

"I would like to thank Rico's family whose support has been invaluable in helping to bring this investigation to a successful conclusion. I hope today's sentencing can offer them some comfort in knowing that these offenders are now behind bars following their tragic loss."