Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police
A man who attacked a schoolboy with a sword and injured police as they bravely pursued him in Hainault has been convicted of murder.
Daniel Anjorin was just 14 when he was murdered in the street in the brutal rampage in April last year, which also saw several members of the public and two Met Police officers seriously injured.
Following a complex investigation by Met homicide detectives, Marcus Arduini Monzo, 37 (11.04.88) of Satanita Close, Canning Town, appeared for a trial which started on Tuesday, 3 June and lasted for just over three weeks.
At the Old Bailey on Wednesday, 25 June, Monzo was found guilty of seven offences, including murder, three counts of attempted murder, grievous bodily harm (having been cleared of the more serious count of attempted murder), aggravated burglary and possession of an offensive weapon.
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, who leads policing in the East Area where this incident happened, said outside court this afternoon:
“The horrific events on 30 April last year in Hainault sent shockwaves through our community and had a devastating and lasting impact on so many.
“First in our thoughts is Daniel Anjorin – a talented, gentle, bright young man. A much-loved son and brother, brutally murdered simply walking to school at what should have been the start of a normal day at the start of a promising life.
“Marcus Monzo set out that morning under the influence of cannabis, with a clear intention to kill a number of people.
“It didn’t matter who they were and sadly, he targeted Daniel in a cowardly and brutal attack.
“A number of other local people were also attacked, seriously injured and threatened that day – and I would like to acknowledge their bravery and resilience in giving evidence in this case.
”As we heard in court, police officers and paramedics were on the scene within minutes of Monzo assaulting Daniel.
“I am in no doubt that the actions of those officers who arrived to pursue and attempt to detain Monzo saved lives and prevented more harm.
“I commend them for their extraordinary bravery – some setting out to deal with that call before their shift had even begun.
“PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield bravely pursued Monzo through a series of alleyways while he was armed with a sword.
“The injuries Monzo inflicted on her were brutal and life-changing.
“Inspector Moloy Campbell was also seriously injured while attempting to detain Monzo.
“These officers are a credit to the Metropolitan Police Service and we continue to support them during their recovery.
“Many officers on scene that day put their lives on the line and put their duty to protect others above their own personal safety.
“This is what our police officers do every day and they deserve our respect and admiration – we should never take this for granted.
“This has been an incredibly complex investigation and our detectives have been meticulous, compassionate and professional throughout.
“We thank the witnesses who were no doubt terrified by the harrowing scenes and who have made a vital contribution to our investigation.
“Finally, and most importantly, I would like to pay my respects to Daniel’s family.
“There are no words, really, to express how sorry we are for your loss or how much admiration we have for your courage and dignity.
“It is hard to comprehend the unimaginable pain that you must have suffered in the last year.
“I can only hope today’s verdict brings some semblance of justice and relief, and you are now able to grieve in some peace.
“Our thoughts remain with all those who have been impacted by this terrible incident.”
The series of brutal attacks started at 06:45hrs on Tuesday, 30 April 2024 with the attempted murder of a 33-year-old man as he was walking to work from Hainault station.
Police started receiving reports at 06:52hrs that a van had collided with the fence of a house in Thurlow Gardens and that someone had been stabbed.
Officers were on the scene within minutes.
CCTV would later show Monzo deliberately driving a grey van into his first victim, catapulting him into a nearby garden.
Monzo pursued the man, slashing him in the neck with a Samurai sword before he bravely escaped.
Monzo then turned his attention to innocent schoolboy Daniel who was walking down the quiet, residential street he lived on.
He was wearing his school sports clothes, backpack and headphones and had just waved goodbye to his mother.
Daniel was attacked by Monzo from behind just after 07:00hrs, moments after police had started receiving reports of the earlier collision.
Later during the investigation, police would gather witness statements which would describe Monzo running up behind Daniel and swinging the sword towards him.
Officers took further statements from witnesses who helped build a picture of the scene before emergency services arrived.
Body worn video on officers showed them deploying PAVA incapacitant spray in the direction of Monzo, before PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield was seen chasing him with a Taser down an alley, where he ruthlessly injured her.
She suffered a fractured skull and life-changing injuries, including severe nerve damage.
Monzo then gained entry to a family home, where a man was asleep with his wife and child, assaulting the father before running into a waiting group of officers outside.
Several other officers continued their pursuit of the killer and brought the rampage to a close by Tasering him and recovering his sword within 22 minutes.
Monzo was arrested at the scene.
Police set up an extensive crime scene covering all six incidents, which were forensically examined across the route Monzo had run.
Specialist officers were deployed to search the area, as well as photograph the scene and forensically lift key evidence, such as the Monzo’s van, where they found Daniel’s backpack.
Officers conducted a search of Monzo’s home where they recovered two air pistols, and a number of mobile phones which were downloaded and reviewed.
They also found a quantity of cannabis which the defence referenced as a factor in the defendant’s psychotic episodes, where he suffered schizophrenia-like symptoms.
Detectives built enough evidence to charge Monzo on Wednesday, 1 May 2024.
He pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon with respect to a Katana Sword and possession of an offensive weapon with respect to a Tanto Katana Sword at the Old Bailey on Friday, 2 May.
He will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, 27 June.