A Muslim gang member who was caught outside a mosque with a loaded pistol has been jailed for eight years

South London Press:

Marcus Archer, 24, handed the gun to a friend as he went to pray and was arrested when he collected it outside.

The gunman, a member of the Muslim Boys, had been accused of having a rival murdered.

But Archer and two other members of the gang were cleared of conspiracy to murder after new evidence emerged.

He claimed he had the gun because he knew people wanted him dead.

Judge Gerald Gordon told him: "It is perfectly clear from all that I have heard and read that in the world which you have chosen to inhabit, guns are commonplace.

"The courts have got to do everything they possibly can to prevent young men carrying and using guns."

The court had heard how the gang terrorised non-believers into becoming Muslims.

Adrian Marriott, 21, was a member of the rival Peel Dem Crew gang and had refused to follow Islam.

His sister, Tara Marriott, told the court Archer warned her unless she became a Muslim he would "shoot up" her house.

Archer was accused of organising Mr Marriott's murder on June 8 last year.

Arron Simpson and Marlon Stubbs, both 23, were also accused of the conspiracy.

But prosecutor Christopher Kinch QC said he had no option but to drop the case against the three men when police were given new evidence.

He said the case against them was circumstantial and an alternative theory undermined the prosecution case.

"We have come to appreciate that with all the information now available and bearing in mind the standard of proof that is required in a trial, there no longer remains a reasonable prospect of securing a conviction," Mr Kinch said.

Archer was arrested by armed police outside the mosque in Elmwood Road, Croydon, on July 16 last year.

He was carrying a blank firing pistol which had been converted to fire 8mm ammunition.

Simpson, of Crawshay Court, Myatt Field Estate, Brixton, Stubbs, of Ward Point, Kennington, and Archer, of Croxted Road, Dulwich, denied conspiracy to murder.

Archer admitted possession of a firearm with intent and possession of ammunition without a certificate.

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