Last Updated on: 27th August 2021, 02:42 pm
Who is Michael Jefferson King of West London? Biography, Wiki
Michael Jefferson King, who played Shadow in the hit television series Gladiators, was jailed today for his role in a blackmail plot.
The former bodybuilder was jailed at Isleworth Crown Court for six years and three months after admitting he was involved in a drug conspiracy.
Michael Jefferson King’s Age
His current age is 60 years.
What was his Crime?
King has been described as a ‘lieutenant’ in the plot which ended in the beating of Aaron Ali and the filming of “very disturbing” videos sent to his family for payment of up to £1,000 to allow departure.
At one point, King reportedly ordered a co-accused to “use a hammer to break his legs” after Ali tried to escape.
Longtime crack and heroin user, King, 60, has been sentenced to six years and three months in prison after admitting two cases of extortion at Isleworth Crown Court.
Three other defendants, so-called ringleaders Simon Batson, Donna Harman, and Otis Noel, were also found guilty of their role in the plot.
Trial
His Honorary Judge Fiona Barrie said: “The four defendants have devised a plan to extort money from Mr. Ali’s family.”
“He was subjected to brutal and sustained assault for several hours, and from noon to 9 a.m. he said the group had tortured him.”
Ali said that “the people he knew treated him like less than a human, all for drugs and money.”
Professional Career and Bodybuilding
King was born in London to Jamaican parents, moved to New York at the age of 14, and joined the school’s football team.
He then returned to England where he met his wife and had two children before being recruited as a gladiator for the 1992 original series hosted by Ulrika Jonsson.
In 1995, King was caught snorting cocaine and then kicked out of the ITV program after testing positive for steroids.
He then turned to heroin and crack, lost his home and family, and served several prison terms.
In 2009, he went to rehab and stayed sober.
In 2011, he revealed that he had overcome his addiction and was working in a rehabilitation clinic to help people with drug problems.
He was arrested last year for possession of heroin.
