‘Sean’s killer deserved everything that he got’

8:19pm Tuesday 8th July 2008

Comments (1)   Have your say »

The mum of Sean "Stretch" Jenkins fainted at the Old Bailey as an West Molesey scaffolder was given a life sentence for shooting dead her son at a party in Carshalton.

Maureen Jenkins said she was overcome with emotion after a judge told Joseph Greenland he would serve a minimum of 30 years for the murder.

“I was there for every day of the trial and the killer deserved everything he got, because it wasn’t self-defence, it was a cold-blooded shooting.”

Maureen Jenkins

Greenland, 33, had been so enraged by a remark about his mum he drove 26 miles to his home in West Molesey to fetch a handgun.

The court was told he returned to the party in December 2006 and fired six shots at Jenkins, 36, a 6ft 6in window cleaner from Southfields, without saying a word.

This week Mrs Jenkins expressed relief that she could finally mourn her "gentle giant" in the knowledge justice had been served.

She said: "I passed out after hearing the sentence.

"I was in a worse state than at the time Sean died. My nerves just couldn't stand it.

"One moment I was watching Wimbledon on TV then I was told there would be a verdict. But now I'm satisfied justice has been done after 18 months of hell.

"I was there for every day of the trial and the killer deserved everything he got, because it wasn't self-defence, it was a cold-blooded shooting."

Detective Inspector John Crossley, from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, praised witnesses for withstanding intimidation and bribery.

Party guests had gone to an unlicensed boxing event earlier that night.

D Insp Crossley added: "In convicting Greenland, the jury has taken a violent, manipulative criminal with a short temper and access to firearms from the streets.

"Sean Jenkins is spoken about in glowing terms by all who knew him and our thoughts are with his family and friends."