twenty-one-year-old michael groce was one of six children born to dorothy "cherry" groce, who had migrated to the area from jamaica when she was in her early teens. from aged six much of his life was spent in residential care, brought up in tinworth house, on a rough housing estate in vauxhall. michael was involved with street gangs, and had been exposed to guns during his childhood. he spent time in and out of prison throughout his life, and by 1985 had accrued 50 convictions and 15 different spells in prison.