Murder gang jailed for 118 years after young man is killed in drug feud
A woman and three men have been locked up for a total of 118 years after after a young man lost his life in a deadly drug feud.
The mastermind behind the killing, Demi Dunford, aged 29, was jailed for a minimum of 31 years over Abdullah Hassan’s death, after being found guilty of murder following a trial.
She organised the “cold blooded, targeted shooting and murder,” jurors were told by prosecutor Stephen Wood KC, when the case was opened at Sheffield Crown Court last year.
Abdullah, 25, was shot in an incident on Callow Drive, Gleadless Valley, in the early hours of April 9, 2023.
He was lured out of his flat in the dead of night and figures lying in wait “emerged from the shadows” and gunned him down.
Abdullah had received a call from someone pretending to want to buy drugs from him.
Dunford, of Derby Street, Heeley, organised the hit and recruited Alex Taff, 31, Osai Williams, 29 and Andrew Horton, 47, to help her execute the plan.
They were all sentenced last week on the basis that although only one person pulled the trigger, they were all involved.
The plot was hatched on April 8 after Abdullah had enjoyed a barbecue with friends and family before sitting up until the early hours of the following day with his brother at his flat on Callow Drive.
Evidence from CCTV, forensics, mobile phone data and ballistic reports revealed that Dunford had been engaged in a dispute with Abdullah for several weeks over drugs.
Keen to prove her status, Dunford orchestrated the plan to shoot her rival.
Horton was the armourer and supplied the gun used in the shooting. He was also the getaway driver for Dunford and Williams, who both fled to London and Southend-on-Sea after the murder.
Two days after the murder, Horton, alongside his sister Emma Horton, 38, took his car that had been used to drive Dunford and Williams away from the scene, to a car wash in the Attercliffe area of the city to get it valeted.
It was an attempt to clean away any forensic evidence linking Andrew Horton to the murder.
Revealing details of their sentences today, South Yorkshire Police said: “During the investigation it became clear that a warfare about drugs supply in the city had escalated between Dunford and Abdullah, and with Dunford clear on proving her status, she orchestrated a plan with Taff, Horton and Williams to lure Abdullah out of his property to be shot.
“Following the shooting, the gang fled the scene and in the following days, attempted to cover up their work and evidence, travelling to different areas and cleaning vehicles involved.”
Senior Investigating Officer in the case, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Knowles said: “This sentencing brings closure to our investigation and process to achieve justice for Abdullah, and our thoughts remain with all those who loved and cared for him.
“Drugs play a significant role in serious and organised crime, setting off a chain of dangerous, deadly and inhumane behaviour.
“They have no place in our communities, and the sentencing of those responsible for Abdullah’s death delivers a clear warning to anyone engaged in this type of offending.
“I reiterate my thanks to everyone who contributed to us taking these dangerous offenders off the streets and away from our communities, from my teams of detectives, officers on the frontline, staff behind the scenes and you, the public.
“We cannot solve crimes alone, we need your intelligence and information and I am grateful for your support.”
Osai Williams, 29, was found guilty of murder, grievous bodily harm, two counts of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply, possession of controlled dugs and possession of an offensive weapon.
He was sentenced to 32 years.
Demi Dunford, 29, was found guilty of murder, two counts of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply, possession of controlled drugs and possession of a prohibited weapon .
She was sentenced to 31 years.
Andrew Horton, 47, was found guilty of murder, two counts of robbery, theft from person, fraud and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
He was sentenced to 28 years.
Alex Taff, 31, was found guilty of murder.
He was sentenced to 27 years.
Emma Horton, 38, was found guilty of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
She received a sentence of 12 months suspended for two years.
After they were found guilty in December, Det Chf Insp Andy Knowles, said: “Gun crime and drugs are inseparably linked, with disputes over supply, territory, and profit often spiralling into violence, and in this case, murder.
“This dangerous connection does not only affect those directly involved; it creates volatile situations where innocent people can tragically be caught in the crossfire. That is why we are determined to remove these dangerous offenders from our communities.
“The ripple effect of drugs and firearms spreads fear, destabilises neighbourhoods, and underlines the urgent need for communities to support our efforts.”