Following the brutal murder of a 16-year-old on the streets of Moston, Manchester, a group of friends joined a Telegram chat - they say to grieve and vent their anger. Eighteen months later, these group chat messages formed the key evidence in a trial in which 10 teenagers were presented as a brutal gang, who listened to drill and plotted revenge. All were sentenced to a total of 131 years in prison.
One of those teens sentenced to eight years in jail – is Ade. He had been head boy at his school, was a promising sportsman and high-flying student with an offer to study law at university. His sent messages in the chat though none of those messages has ever led to an attack on anyone.
In this film Yomi, a 22-year-old student who knew Ade, investigates how someone with a bright future, who had never been in trouble with the law, can get jailed for sending messages. He explores the use of conspiracy law at a time where there is a lot said on social media and in app group chats and asks if race plays a part in the way that gang trials cases are built.
Part of C4's acclaimed youth skewing current affairs UNTOLD strand. Other titles include
Trapped in a Gang
Addicted to Drip
My Big Boobs
Secret World of Boy Racers
The Cost of Being a YouTuber
The Secrets of UK Prisons