Deon P Green, Gleaner Writer

London, England

Two Jamaicans, who were involved in an armed attempted robbery which resulted in the murder of a man, were given 30 and 35 year prison sentences in Britain this week.

The judge further recommended that the two be deported after completion of their sentences. Their accomplice, a British professional footballer, who assisted in planning the robbery has also been jailed for conspiracy in London.

The convicted Jamaicans, 26-year-old Damien Ennis and 40-year-old Hallroy Reid were sentenced to 30 and 35 years respectively, while their accomplice, professional footballer, 25-year-old Ashley Sestanovich, was sentenced to eight years behind bars. Sestanovich is a former Nike shoe model and player for Sheffield United.

Shot fired

The sentences imposed on the Jamaicans were as a result of a shot fired by Reid which hit 42-year-old Thomas Tahee in the stomach on June 24, 2005. Tahee died months later as a result of his injuries. Sestanovich was jailed for providing inside information on the firm's salary payments to the Jamaicans.

The court heard that Tahee had gone to pay a surprise visit to his brother at the family roofing firm when the two Jamaicans armed with guns entered. In the bungled attempted robbery, the robbers came across Tahee showing photographs to his brother's colleagues.

The court heard that one of the robbers panicked after firing a shot that hit a chair and, in an attempt to flee the scene, shot Tahee who was in pursuit of them with others.