Six members of an Edgware gang have been convicted and sentenced for a violent gang attack.

On January 15 in 2013, at around 7.15pm, in Watling Park, Edgware, a gang of youths attacked a rival gang, the court heard.

One victim was forced to strip down to his underwear before being stabbed several times, suffering a life-threatening injury to the chest.

Wood Green Court heard, on March 20, how the violent attack had been planned and pre-mediated, with the defendants' gang setting up the attack on the false pretext of a drugs deal.

The victims entered the park, sitting down on a bench near the basketball court. They were then approached by a rival gang who were all wearing dark clothing and had their faces concealed behind bandanna’s.

On seeing the rival gang approaching, all three victims got up from the bench to walk away, an exchange of words took place and the violent attack started, the court was told.

Two of the victims managed to leave the park, one having been robbed and the other stabbed in the back.

The third victim received five stab wounds, most seriously a direct wound to the heart. He was found unconscious by police who attempted CPR as his breathing had stopped.

Paramedics managed to successfully restart his heart and rushed him to St Mary's Hospital, in Paddington, while performing open heart surgery in the ambulance.

'Callous attack'

Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Gideon Mitchell, said: “This incident was a callous and premeditated attack against three teenage boys who had been cruelly duped into meeting the defendants under false pretences who had the soul intention to rob and inflict serious injury.

“Only due to the heroic actions of the first officers on scene along with paramedics and HEMS surgeons did the most seriously injured not lose his life.”

Jason Farinas, 20, of Fallows Close, N2, was convicted of conspiracy to rob and sentenced to six years in a young offender institution.

Ibrahim Dag, 19, of Park Road, N11, was convicted of conspiracy to rob and perverting the course of justice and sentenced to a total of six years and three months in a young offender institution.

Michael Nwadire, 20, of Belmore Crescent, Barnet, was sentenced to 42 months in a young offender institution for conspiracy to rob, after pleading guilty in February.

Stefan Saulic, 18, of Vartry Road, N15, was convicted of conspiracy to rob and sentenced to four years imprisonment. He was also sentenced to 12 months, to run concurrently, for handling stolen goods after pleading guilty in February.

Fabio Costa, 19, of Folkingham Lane, NW9, was sentenced to 54 months in a young offender institution for conspiracy to commit GBH. He was also sentenced to 12 months, to run concurrently, for conspiracy to rob, after admitting both counts in February.

Ayuub Hassan, 19, of Friary Road, N12, was sentenced to 16 months in a young offender institution for perverting the course of justice after pleading guilty last April.

Following the attack, Ibrahim Dag's mother, Hatice Dag, 48, was found to have removed her son's clothing, trainers and a Blackberry mobile phone from her home to another location. She was found guilty of perverting the course of justice last year and awaits sentencing in April.

The attackers were part of a gang known as Finchley 197 and the victims were connected to both the Oakboys and DBlock gangs, from Burnt Oak and Deansbrook.

These gangs have a long history of violence against each other and members of the public, police said.

Incidents involved co-ordinated assault and burglary/home intrusion against the rival gangs.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Kaye Wyse, said: “Those involved in gangs should be aware that there is a way out and that there are people we can put them in touch with to help turn their lives around.”

“However, if you remain in a gang and if you continue to commit crime, then we will keep targeting you."