A leading anti-gangs worker who was once recognised by the Home Office for saving young lives has been cleared of criminal charges after an 18-month ordeal.  

Gwenton Sloley founded Crying Sons, a charity that aims to help authorities like police, NHS staff, Government, and religious groups enter dialogue with possible gang members. 

The former gang member turned community outreach worker has trained “thousands” of officers on how to speak to vulnerable young people. 

But the 37-year-old, who moved to Lewisham in 2014, said his life was “ruined” after police raided his house twice in three months. 

The first in October 2018 saw officers wrongly raid his home looking for a former tenant, damaging his property in the process.  

During the second, Gwenton was arrested on suspicion of a drug offence but was re-bailed repeatedly before being charged with a criminal property offence and perverting the course of justice.  

Both charges were thrown out in Woolwich Crown Court on Monday (March 2) before the trial began.  

Gwenton, one of the founders of London Gang Exit, said police leaked the first raid and “blacklisted” him, resulting in business partners cutting ties. 

He is now bringing a defamation case for £3 million and lost earnings against the force.  

After Gwenton was cleared he said he felt like he was “walking on air”. 

But he said that although he “lost everything” the death of seven-year-old Joel Urhie had humbled him.  

Joel died after his home was set on fire in a targeted attack in August 2018.  The case remains unsolved. 

“I was speaking to Joel’s mum just two days before [the hearing] and compared to what she’s still going through … I thought even though I’ve suffered for these 18 months the lady’s son is still not coming back. That was humbling me throughout the process.”  

Gwenton believes he was targeted for how well he was doing after once being an offender. 

“Even now Lewisham police are refusing to lift the blacklisting which was illegal.

“From the whole thing you can see it was something personal. This wasn’t normal police work. 

“Why have they not given me a public apology and removed the national blacklisting of me if it’s not personal?” he said.  

Gwenton worked for Lewisham Council for ten years after he was asked to come on board as the manager of Makeda Weaver Project, which offered safe homes for young people at risk of gangs.  

But he said “not one” council officer called to see if he was “dead or alive” during his ordeal.  

He said: “Councillors are the only people that supported me throughout. 

“Cllr Alan Hall has been so amazing – he gave me the strength to continue. 

“Also Cllr Paul Bell, but we’ve always been good friends, and Cllr Brenda Dacres said I should keep strong as she’s seen first-hand the amazing work I’ve done. 

“But no one from the council even called to see if I was dead or alive after all my years of service putting my life on the line to keep Lewisham safe.” 

A council spokesperson previously said it took “appropriate actions” in October 2018 but declined to comment further due to the upcoming legal case.  

Gwenton stressed that he did not want to blame all police for the actions of a “few rogue officers”.  

“Even after what the police have done, there are still amazing police officers out there that will go out of their way to keep people safe,” he said.  

Gwenton’s law firm Imran Khan and Partners said the proceedings had hurt not only their client but the taxpayer too.  

Trainee solicitor Tricia O’Sullivan said: “Our client is absolutely delighted that, after what has been an extremely long and gruelling process, the charges against him have been dismissed.  

“The bringing of these proceedings has come at no small cost to the public purse and Mr Sloley has maintained both his innocence, and that there is no evidence against him, throughout.  

“Put simply, this is a case in which justice has been done. We now intend to give serious consideration to the commencement of civil proceedings against the appropriate body.” 

A spokesperson for the Met Police said: “A complaint in relation to damage of reputation and character was received on Tuesday, October 30 2018.  

“A subsequent complaint was received in July 2019.  

“Matters remain under investigation by the Directorate of Professional Standards.

“As with any investigation complainants are kept up to date on progress.”