Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Man in court charged with murder over 2018 drive-by shooting of girl, 17

Tanesha Melbourne-Blake was socialising with friends when she was gunned down from a Vauxhall car in Tottenham, north London.

Harry Stedman
Thursday 04 July 2024 12:16 BST
Michael Clarke appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jonathan Brady/ PA Archive)
Michael Clarke appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jonathan Brady/ PA Archive) (PA Archive)

Your support helps us to tell the story

As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.

Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.

Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election

Head shot of Andrew Feinberg

Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

A man has appeared in court charged with murdering a 17-year-old girl in a drive-by shooting more than six years ago.

Michael Clarke, 34, of Luton, is charged with murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life in relation to the incident in April 2018.

Tanesha Melbourne-Blake was socialising with friends when she was gunned down from a silvery Vauxhall Meriva people carrier in Tottenham, north London.

She died at the scene and the car, with the registration KS56 NKG, was found burnt out in Barnet five days later.

Clarke, wearing a grey puffer jacket, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address during a brief hearing at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Ms Melbourne-Blake was killed at about 9.35pm on April 2 2018 after a bullet struck her in the chest, prosecutor Prosecutor Shelina Khudurun told the court.

Marcus La-Croix, 36, of Hackney, who was charged with the same offences as Clarke, appeared in custody at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday and was remanded to appear at the Old Bailey for a bail application on Friday, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

Ms Khudurun said there appeared to be no link between the victim and co-defendants.

Clarke was remanded in custody to next appear at the Old Bailey for a plea and trial preparation hearing on Monday.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in