A GROUP accused of plotting to ‘cover up’ the high-profile and barbaric murder of Christopher Lemonius in a Blackbird Leys alleyway have finally been convicted of perverting the course of justice.

On June 1, 2017, Christopher Lemonius, who was 27-years-old at the time, was murdered by a group of men, who beat him to death following a large-scale altercation between two rival gangs, which ended in Jourdain Road, Blackbird Leys.

They hacked and beat the victim to death using machetes, golf clubs and chunks of wood.

Four men were convicted of murder at Oxford Crown Court back in October 2018 and they all received life sentences.

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Another man was convicted of manslaughter in relation to the incident and was sentenced to ten years behind bars.

On Wednesday, Barry O’Loughlin, 46, of Sandy Lane and Kimesha Bennett, 26 of Three Fields, and Korine Forbes, 29, of Oxford, were all convicted of perverting the course of justice at Oxford Crown Court, following a three-week trial.

Sasha McMahon, 33, of Oxford, pleaded guilty to the offence prior to the trial, while Charlotte Carney, 35, of Astrop Lane, Oxford, was found not guilty of the same offence.

Prosecutors claimed that Forbes, O’Loughlin, McMahon and Bennett were part of a plan to dispose of evidence, including weapons and clothing, after the murder three years ago.

They also worked to facilitate hotel bookings, as part of an attempt to ensure that the offenders were not arrested for their part in his killing.

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Investigating officer detective constable Kevin Smith of the Thames Valley Police Major Crime Unit, said: “These four people worked to protect a group whom they knew were involved in causing the death of Christopher Lemonius.

“They did not want justice to be done, and instead did everything they could to protect a group of murderers, and a man who was convicted of manslaughter.

“Christopher’s death was incredibly violent and was carried out by dangerous individuals.

“But this group attempted to protect them, and frustrate the police investigation.

“These convictions demonstrate just how seriously this sort of offence is taken. Let me be clear – it is never acceptable to help people if you know or believe them to have been involved in a crime.

“I am pleased that this group has been brought to justice, and I hope they now understand the seriousness of their crimes.”

The group will be sentenced on July 9.