David Clarke

David Clarke was shot in Bravington Road, Maida Vale on 29 October 1993.

A 22-year-old man who had lived in Portnall Road in North Paddington, was charged with his murder but was acquitted.

It was claimed that he had shot David Clarke and then stolen his gold rings.

However, the man said that he had been around the corner in Harrow Road at the time, a claim that was supported by three witnesses.

David Clarke and the man charged with his murder had been complete strangers.

David Clarke had been out for an early evening drink in London with his girlfriend when he was shot after being robbed and beaten during two attacks by a gang, who the police said acted with a frightening degree of violence.

After being shot he was taken to St Mary's Hospital in Paddington where he was put on a life support machine. He died two days later in front of his weeping parents.

He and his girlfriend had been first attacked by two men in Harrow Road, Kensal Town at about 6.30pm on the Friday night at about 6.30pm. In the attack the gang tore off his £200 gold chain from his neck and ran off.

However, minutes later, whilst they were standing in Bravington Road recovering, the men returned with four more accomplices and demanded his rings.

David Clarke's girlfriend screamed:

However, one of the men punched David Clarke in the face and another grabbed him and shot him above the eyes with a semi-automatic handgun.

The police said they had examined a possible drugs link but later dropped that line of enquiry.

Following the man's acquittal, it was reported that the police were shell-shocked that the jury had accepted his alibi.

David Clarke had been from Queens Park and had been an unemployed tailor.