Brutal killer of 25-year-old Ramane Wiggan jailed for 34 years

Kaine Gilead shot dead Ramane Wiggan on the balcony of a flat before fleeing on a scooter

Kaine Gilead was found guilty of the ‘cold blooded’ murder at a trial in the Old Bailey (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Wire)

A “brutal and callous” killer who shot a man at point-blank range has been jailed for 34 years, police said.

Kaine Gilead shot Ramane Wiggan, 25, from behind with a Glock pistol after “luring” him to a balcony at a block of flats in West Norwood, south London, in March 2019.

Mr Wiggan, who had travelled there to collect a drugs debt of £10,000, was later declared dead at the scene by paramedics.

Gilead, now 26, of Grove Road, Surbiton, south London, was found guilty of his murder following a fourth trial in the case at the Old Bailey last month.

Mr Wiggan’s mother gasped in court as the jury delivered its verdict, and told her son’s killer: “You are a murderer and finally I have justice.”

The court has been constantly impressed with her calm dignity, again having to relive the horrifying details of her son's death, not just once but relive it time and time again.

Judge Michael Topolski KC

Sentencing Gilead on Thursday, Judge Michael Topolski QC said he had committed a “brutal and callous” murder which would “haunt Ramane’s mother, family, friends, for many years”.

Judge Topolski previously praised Mr Wiggan’s mother, who had sat through four trials, saying: “There were two other attempts to get the case to a jury for verdict. That did not happen.

“There was a trial at the back end of last year which resulted in a jury not being able to reach a decision.

“The court has been constantly impressed with her calm dignity, again having to relive the horrifying details of her son’s death, not just once but relive it time and time again.”

This case is also a tragic reminder of the misery drugs cause within communities and demonstrates how they can often act as a catalyst to more serious crimes.

Detective Chief Inspector Kate Kieran

Speaking outside of court, Detective Chief Inspector Kate Kieran, who worked on the investigation, said: “The evidence we collected against Gilead was overwhelming and showed him to have played a key part in the deliberate, planned and cold-blooded murder of Ramane.

“This case is also a tragic reminder of the misery drugs cause within communities and demonstrates how they can often act as a catalyst to more serious crimes.”