outh London drill rapper and gang member Jyrelle O’Connor, also known as ‘Loski’, has been found guilty of possessing a loaded revolver while in an Uber.
O’Connor, 23, was part of the Kennington-based drill group Harlem Spartans and also a high-profile member of a south London gang, who were involved in violent disputes with other gangs in Brixton, Metropolitan Police said.
On Wednesday a jury found him guilty of guilty of possessing a prohibited firearm, possessing a firearm when prohibited for five years and possessing ammunition for a firearm when prohibited for five years.
He will be sentenced on Friday January 6 at Croydon Crown Court.
Detective Constable Snazell said there was “no doubt” O’Connor or his gang associates would have used the revolver in future.
Det Snazell said the young gang member, who had a large social media following, was “fascinated” with guns and had Google searched firearms and ammunition “numerous times” in the months leading up to his arrest.
The conviction follows a three-year investigation by the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.
O’Connor was seen getting into an Uber under a false name in April 2019. Unarmed officers in uniform stopped the car along the A40.
They searched the car and found found a small black sock with a black loaded revolver underneath the front passenger seat, directly in front of where O’Connor had been sitting.
He was arrested on suspicion of being in possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and charged on April 10, 2019.
Forensic analysis of the firearm found it to be a 4mm Flobert Calibre Revolver with loaded ammunition.
Firearm found by police officers
/ Metropolitan PoliceO’Connor’s DNA was found on the loading face of the cylinder. This is a covered part of the firearm that is not accessible without opening up the gun to see the ammunition, Metropolitan Police said.
He denied the charges and claimed he was forced to hold on to the gun after a drug dealer made threats against his and his mother’s lives.
O’Connor was originally stopped that day as officers wanted to question him in relation to the events that led to his friend Latwaan Griffiths’ death in July 2018. Investigating officers believe that Latwaan was fatally stabbed following an attempted shooting on a rival gang.
His DNA had been found inside the man bag that Latwaan had worn when he was stabbed. Officers also found his fingerprint on the reversible latex glove that had gunshot residue on the inside, indicating it had been worn to fire a gun.
Following the conclusion of the trial, Detective Constable Snazell said: “This has been a trying and challenging case with many twists and turns, but I’m pleased the jury found O’Connor guilty of his crimes and I’d like to thank them for seeing through his lies and excuses.
“I have no doubt that O’Connor, or his gang associates, would have used this revolver in the future and by finding and destroying it we have taken a lethal weapon off the streets and potentially saved a life.
“As part of the trial the jury heard how fascinated O’Connor was by guns and gang lifestyle and on his phone he had been running numerous Google searches for firearms and ammunition in the months prior to his arrest.
“O’Connor was an influential individual and had many followers on social media. No amount of fortune or fame justifies his serious criminal actions and I’m confident this will be reflected in the sentence that will be handed down by the judge.”
