Imani Allaway-Muir’s mother Keetha Allaway and grandmother Pauline Allaway

THE mother of a completely innocent young man killed in a case of mistaken identity has called for a change in courtroom culture after sitting through a two-month trial.

Imani Allaway-Muir, 22, died after being shot at “indiscriminately” close to a children’s playground in Roman Way in July 2020.

After his killers were sent to prison on Friday at the Old Bailey, his mother Keetha Allaway said sitting through the legal proceedings had only added to the pain.

Ms Allaway told the Tribune that she thought lawyers and barristers should not describe the victim in cases as “the deceased” as is current practice in courts across the country.

“Call them by their name,” she said. “I think when [barristers] are referring to the person that’s been murdered, don’t keep referring to them as ‘the deceased’ – it’s one of the most painful things to hear. To those involved, it may have been just another murder case, just another job to attend. But Imani was my baby. My first born being referred to as ‘the deceased’, like he was nothing, was soul destroying.”

She also took aim at the culture of courtrooms and in particular the accepted practice by barristers of conversing in a relaxed manner once the judge and jury have left the room.

Ms Allaway said: “There was so much, you know, courthouse banter that went on while we were sitting there crying and heartbroken. I just think at the end of the day, don’t be so desensitised in cases like this and have empathy for that family. Be mindful of every word that you’re saying. I think take that to your room. Take it away from the court, where we don’t have to see.”

Imani Allaway-Muir’s family and friends outside the Old Bailey after the sentences were handed down. They had sat through a two-month trial – his killers were sent to prison on Friday

Describing how hard it is as family members to remain composed and emotionless or run the risk of being asked to leave court, she said: “All I wanted to do was scream and shout, and I knew I couldn’t and that was the most frustrating thing. Because that’s your instinct as a mother, you know, to be that lioness, to attack, to [shout] ‘you took my baby!’ and that’s all I wanted to literally scream at them.”

She made her comments at the conclusion of a trial which saw her read out her victim impact statement.

“At times it was like I was standing trial, I felt as though I was the one who had committed the crime. At times we were watched, criticised and scrutinised in every action, every facial expression and every word,” she said.

In court, Katy Thorne KC, for Matthew Hardy, who was convicted for manslaughter, said: “May I echo the words said about the moving statement that was read out by Imani’s mother, and the impact of sitting through the trial.

Everyone is supremely conscious that our behaviour can cause further hurt, even referring to Imani as deceased is painful.”

Earlier Ms Allaway had shown a photo of her son to the defendants in the dock. Supported in the stand by Imani’s father Jason Muir, who was wearing a necklace with his son’s image on it, she spoke of a “loving” son who “lit up any room he went in with his smile”.

She said: “Look at him. No mother should ever have to bury their son. I can only dream of what he would have become.”

Imani was gunned down on the Westbourne estate just moments after he arrived to meet a friend. He had nothing to do with an earlier robbery that had led the defendants to suddenly appear at the open space, in search of retribution. He was simply “in the wrong place at the wrong time”.

Imani, who was 22, died after being shot close to a children’s playground in July 2020

Nathaniel Reece, 41, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison with a sentence of 33 years and two months. Demetriou Kyriacou, 35, was also given a life term and must serve at least 31 years.

Both murderers wiped away tears as Ms Allaway read her victim impact statement. Reece then instructed his barrister to make no excuses for his actions and called on the judge to give him no discount on his sentence for his guilty plea.

Judge Richard Marks KC, the Common Serjeant of London, described the killing as “ruthless and merciless”.

The court heard how Imani was hit four times, including the fatal bullet that travelled from his buttock, through his abdomen and into his chest.

A further three men were found guilty of manslaughter.

Hardy, 36, was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years for manslaughter and a further 18 months for drugs charges.

Darren Dredge, 41, received a term of eight-and-a-half years for manslaughter along with drug charges and James Nicholson, 36, will be sentenced for manslaughter later this month.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil John said: “Imani was a young man who had his whole life ahead of him, but by simply being in the wrong place, at the wrong time, he was tragically killed in a horrific act of violence that took place in broad daylight just metres away from a children’s playground and a football pitch which was full of children.”

Speaking after the sentence, Ms Allaway said: “I would never say I’m at peace, but I feel like I’ve done Imani proud at least because [the defendants are] recognising what they’ve done to him. I wanted that recognition.”