Otas Sarkus murder: East Ham man Dean Adams jailed for life

A man has been jailed for life following the murder of another in a drive-by shooting.

Dean Adams, of Stevenage Road in East Ham, was sentenced to life today (August 9), with a minimum of 29-and-a-half-years, at the Old Bailey.

Adams, 33, was found guilty in December 2022 at the same court of murdering Otas Sarkus, 20, and the attempted murder of a second man.

Det Insp Louise Caveen, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “Adams’ sentencing brings to a close this investigation.

Otas Sarkus (Image: Metropolitan Police)

“This was a senseless and brazen attack, carried out on a residential street in the heart of east London that cost one young man his life and left another seriously wounded.

“My thoughts remain with Otas’ family who have suffered the most terrible loss.”

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Deon Brisport, 30, of Lauriston Road in Hackney, was jailed for life with a minumum of 32 years after being sentenced at the Old Bailey on June 1.

He was also found guilty of murder and attempted murder. 

Brisport and Adams carried out the drive-by shooting on August 18, 2021.

Deon Brisport was previously jailed (Image: Metropolitan Police)

Otas had been standing with friends in Raymond Road near Upton Park station in east London when they saw a white SUV approaching at speed.

The driver swerved towards them and hit a couple of parked cars.

Some of the group started to run but as the Volvo pulled alongside them, a window was wound down and multiple shots were fired.

Otas was struck twice in the eye and another man, 18, was hit in the back.

Both victims were taken to hospital.

The 18-year-old survived his injuries but Otas died.

The court heard how the Volvo used in the attack was dumped and set alight just over half a mile away in an effort to conceal evidence.

Det Insp Caveen added: “This was clearly an attack planned in advance.

“There can be no doubt that Adams and Brisport went out on that night to intentionally kill or seriously injure someone and had gone to some lengths to hide their involvement.”