Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police
Four people have been jailed for a total of 48 and a half years following a Met Specialist Crime investigation into the murder of a man in Hounslow.
Ben Laing, 23 (22.05.00), of De Brome Road, Feltham and Durra Abdi, 19 (27.02.04), of Western Avenue, Acton were both imprisoned for 22 years for fatally stabbing Tyreece Scott.
Laing was also sentenced for being involved in the supply of drugs, while Abdi’s custodial sentence included possession of a bladed article.
Two others were sentenced for perverting the course of justice.
Reda Mohamed, 24 (09.01.01) of Linslade Close, Hounslow was jailed for four and a half years whilst Morgan Allen, 29 (09.01.96) of Reeve St, Feltham was jailed for two years which was suspended for 18 months.
In a trial which started on Tuesday, 26 November at the Old Bailey, the jury heard that shortly before 01:00hrs on Tuesday, 16 January 2024, Tyreece was stabbed to death on Hibernia Road, a quiet residential street in Hounslow.
Despite the efforts of emergency services, the 24-year-old died as a result of a stab wound to the chest a short time later.
The prosecution told the jury the murder happened against a background of drug dealing, with a dispute over dealing on other people’s territory.
Detectives worked around the clock to identify the suspects, and Laing and Abdi were arrested at Stansted Airport after landing back in the UK on Friday, 19 January. They were charged with murder two days later.
Officers gathered a large amount of CCTV material which was then painstakingly examined, and enabled them to match a bag carried by Abdi at the scene of the murder to one he was carrying when he was arrested.
Once specialist investigators had possession of the defendants’ mobile phones, they were able to recover all sorts of material including notes, text conversations and other data, including website searches of “Hounslow stabbing” on Abdi’s phone which provided vital evidence during the trial.
Detective Inspector Paul Fagence, who led the investigation, said:
“Drug dealing is an ugly business which has cost Tyreece his life.
“The case is a tragic reminder of how the supply of drugs has devastating consequences on communities.
“While there was no evidence to suggest Tyreece knew the defendants, it was the combination of CCTV, mobile phones and ANPR technology which checks vehicles of interest which helped us build a compelling case against these defendants.
“Our thoughts remain, as ever, with Tyreece’s friends and family. We hope they can now find a level of peace to move forward with their lives.”
All four defendants were convicted of their crimes at the Old Bailey on Friday, 10 January.
As part of our A New Met for London plan, tackling knife crime and violence is a top priority for the Met, while officers are working alongside communities to crack down on individuals who supply drugs and seek to cause harm in London.
You can visit Fearless for advice and discover real stories about people who turned their lives around after being involved in knife crime as well as places you can go for further help and support.