Category: England

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Two 17-year-olds, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have been sentenced at Highbury Corner Youth Court for torturing and killing kittens.

Defendant A (17-year-old boy) was sentenced to a 12 month custodial sentence. Defendant B (17-year-old girl) was sentenced to a nine month custodial sentence, on Monday, 4 August.

This follows an investigation by the Metropolitan Police which saw the teenagers arrested, charged and convicted within the space of a week.

An investigation was launched on Saturday, 3 May after two kittens were found dismembered on Ickenham Road, Ruislip. Witnesses’ reported seeing two young people fleeing the area.

After police were notified of the disturbing offence, they immediately launched an investigation. Detectives trawled through hours of CCTV in order to locate the two teenagers.

On Thursday, 15 May, Met Police issued an appeal in a bid to identify the pair and prevent further animals coming to harm. The pair were identified and arrested on Tuesday, 20 May. They were charged the next day.

The boy (Defendant A) and girl (Defendant B), appeared at Highbury Corner Youth Court on Wednesday, 21 May, where they pleaded guilty to possession of an offence weapon and causing unnecessary harm to a protected animal.

Detectives gathered comprehensive evidence, including alarming material found on Defendant A’s phone, such as disturbing notes, like “I have come close to murder” and internet searches including “how to get away with murder.” In addition to this Defendant A researched serial killers, and joined ‘lost and found cats’ groups on social media.

Following the sentencing, DC Rebecca Rickhuss, who led the investigation said:

“This was a deeply distressing case and as we continued to gather evidence, we grew concerned that torturing and killing cats would be a catalyst onto further violent offending.

“I’d like to thank everyone who responded to the media appeal. Your support played a vital role in stopping these teenagers from potentially harming again.

“I urge parents and carers to take an active interest in what their children are accessing online. On Defendant A’s phone, we found graphic videos of animal cruelty, disturbing notes, and posts glorifying violence.

“Although they have now been sentenced, we also have a duty to safeguard them as juveniles and we will work with our partner agencies to do this. We ask that their privacy and that of their families is respected.

“If you suspect cruelty to animals, please report it. In some cases, it can be an early warning sign of something far more dangerous. We will always act to protect our communities — people and pets alike.”

During interview, Defendant A showed no remorse, he smiled when he was shown images of the deceased animals.

CCTV footage revealed the pair had travelled to the area on Saturday, 3 May carrying a black duffel bag, believed to have been used to transport the kittens. Witnesses reported seeing movement inside the bag as the teens exited a train station in Ruislip.

On Saturday, 7 June, the pair were located on Baker Street, sitting at a bus stop, after being reported missing. They were found with packed bags containing clothes, toiletries, and tins of tuna. Police arrested them for breaching bail.

They will never be able to own an animal, arrange to buy a animal or transport animals, this order was presented by the court and will remain in place for life.

The Met takes all cases of animal brutally seriously. If you suspect that anyone is mistreating an animal, you can contact the RSPCAor call police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Two more people have been arrested following the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Keanu Harker in Enfield.

On Sunday, 3 August, a 17-year-old boy was arrested in Paris on suspicion of murder following an international arrest warrant. Extradition proceedings will commence in due course.

An 18-year-old girl was arrested on the same day at London St Pancras International train station, on suspicion of assisting an offender. She remains in custody.

Their arrests come as part of an ongoing Met investigation into Keanu’s murder.

Police were called at 20:45hrs on Thursday, 26 June, to reports of gunshots in Great Cambridge Road, Enfield.

Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended and found Keanu suffering gunshot injuries. He was treated at the scene before being taken to a nearby hospital.

Sadly, despite the best efforts of medical staff, he later died from his injuries.

His family continue to be supported by specialist officers.

Two other people have previously been arrested and charged in connection with Keanu’s murder.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested on Sunday, 29 June and charged on Monday, 30 June with murder.

Eliezer Mbike, 25 (08.07.00), of Oulton Road, Tottenham, was arrested and charged on Monday, 30 June with perverting the course of justice.

A trial will take place at the Old Bailey on 18 May 2026.

A 39-year old man was arrested on Thursday, 24 July on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. He has since been bailed to return in September pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 101 or message @MetCC on X quoting CAD 8393/26JUN. To remain anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Five Met officers have been charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after an incident in which a man was restrained at an Islington hospital.

The officers, all PCs based on the Central North Command, are charged with two counts each of GBH, contrary to Sections 18 and 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

They are PC David Hollands, PC Anthony Bhar, PC Robert Wall, PC Elena Cebotari, and PC Dan Penfold. PC Bhar is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 5 August. The remaining four will appear at the same court on Friday, 15 August.

On 3 April 2023 a man in his 50s was detained under the Mental Health Act having reportedly been seen to be behaving erratically in the street, threatening members of the public and setting fire to his clothing.

While in hospital, the man became agitated and was restrained by officers. He was subsequently released from hospital the following month.

Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart, who leads policing for Central North Command, said: “It is always a matter of deep regret when a member of public is injured through an interaction with officers and I know this matter will cause concern. We must now let criminal proceedings proceed unhindered while continuing to maintain an open dialogue with the community.”

As is routine in such circumstances, the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards was informed and a referral was made to the IOPC who launched an independent investigation resulting in the referral of files to the CPS and a determination that their actions amounted to gross misconduct.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Five Met officers have been charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after an incident in which a man was restrained at an Islington hospital.

The officers, all PCs based on the Central North Command, are charged with two counts each of GBH, contrary to Sections 18 and 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

They are PC David Hollands, PC Anthony Bhar, PC Robert Wall, PC Elena Cebotari, and PC Dan Penfold. PC Bhar is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 5 August. The remaining four will appear at the same court on Friday, 15 August.

On 3 April 2023 a man in his 50s was detained under the Mental Health Act having reportedly been seen to be behaving erratically in the street, threatening members of the public and setting fire to his clothing.

While in hospital, the man became agitated and was restrained by officers. He was subsequently released from hospital the following month.

Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart, who leads policing for Central North Command, said: “It is always a matter of deep regret when a member of public is injured through an interaction with officers and I know this matter will cause concern. We must now let criminal proceedings proceed unhindered while continuing to maintain an open dialogue with the community.”

As is routine in such circumstances, the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards was informed and a referral was made to the IOPC who launched an independent investigation resulting in the referral of files to the CPS and a determination that their actions amounted to gross misconduct.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Met detectives investigating the fatal stabbing of Ayowale Aladejana, 26 in New Cross have charged a man and woman with murder.

Ben Wazabanga, 23 (24.10.2001) of Fairfax Road, Bedford was charged with murder and possession of a knife on Monday, 4 August. He was remanded in custody and will appear at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 4 August.

Ronique Belfon, 23 (10.05.2002) of Morinsbury Road, Bedford was charged with murder on Monday, 4 August. She was remanded to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 4 August.

An investigation was launched after officers were called to reports of a man with stab wounds at a residential address in Monson Road, New Cross, at 19:26hrs on Saturday, 2 August.

Officers responded alongside the London Ambulance Service and medics from London’s Air Ambulance.

Despite their efforts, Ayowale sadly died at the scene. His family continue to be supported by specialist officers.

A post-mortem examination took place on Sunday, 3 August and gave a preliminary cause of death as stab wound to the chest.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Officers have arrested two people after a man was stabbed to death in south-east London.

The Met was called to reports of a man with stab wounds at a residential address in Monson Road, New Cross, at 19:26hrs on Saturday, 2 August.

Officers responded alongside the London Ambulance Service and medics from the London Air Ambulance.

Despite their efforts, a man died at the scene. He has been named as 26-year-old Ayowale Aledejana of South Norwood, Croydon. His family are being supported by officers.

Two people, a 23-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, have been arrested on suspicion of murder. They remain in custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Lucie Card, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our thoughts are with Ayowale’s family and friends at this difficult time.

“I understand this incident will be concerning and we are carrying out a fast-paced and thorough investigation to establish the circumstances. I would encourage anyone who has not yet spoken to us.”

Anyone with information about the incident who hasn’t yet spoken to officers is asked to call 101 quoting 6271/02AUG or message @MetCC on X.

You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A murder investigation has been launched after a man was stabbed to death in south-east London.

The Met was called to reports of a man with stab wounds at a residential address in Monson Road, New Cross, at 19:26hrs on Saturday, 2 August.

Officers attended with the London Ambulance Service and medics from the London Air Ambulance who provided emergency medical care.

Despite their efforts, a 26-year-old man died at the scene. His family are being supported by officers.

A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder a short time later. He remains in custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Lucie Card, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim at this difficult time.

“I understand this incident will be concerning and we are carrying out a fast-paced and thorough investigation to establish the circumstances. I would encourage anyone who has not yet spoken to us.”

Anyone with information about the incident who hasn’t yet spoken to officers is asked to call 101 quoting 6271/02AUG or message @MetCC on X.

You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Five men have been convicted of the murder of a man who they followed across London with the intention of robbing him.

Met detectives worked tirelessly to examine hundreds of hours of CCTV which allowed them to trace the defendants as they pursued 27-year Antonis Antoniadis in a taxi from a nightclub to southeast London, where they robbed him and stabbed him to death.

Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn, Specialist Crime South, said: “Antonis had been visiting from Greece with friends. Very tragically he never made it home to his family. This was a particularly challenging and complex case given the lack of CCTV at the scene and the movement of the vehicle, which had been driven by the defendants continuously throughout the night of 6 July and into the following afternoon.

“I would like to thank in particular Antonis’ friends, who had witnessed his brutal murder and returned to the UK to give their evidence. I would also like to thank the witnesses’ who came forward and helped us to understand what had happened to Antonis. I am pleased our concerted efforts to find those responsible has enabled us to achieve justice for Antonis’ loved ones, family, and friends.”

In the early hours of Sunday, 7 July 2024 Antonis had gone with friends to a club near Oxford Circus. They left the venue at around 08.15hrs and caught a taxi back to Florence Terrace, New Cross, where they were staying with a friend.

Unbeknownst to them, they were being followed by the defendants who had spent several hours in the vicinity of the central London nightclub in a stolen car. They then pursued Antonis and his group for eight miles and more than thirty minutes back to New Cross.

As Antonis and his friends were attempting to get into their address, Sofian Alliche, Shian Johnson, Joshua McCorquodale, and Alfie Hipple exited the vehicle. Amin Alliche who was 17 years old at the time remained in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. The group of four, wearing balaclavas and armed with large knives, grabbed Antonis’ bag before stabbing him in the chest and right thigh. The latter wound severed his femoral artery, causing significant blood loss. Antonis initially survived the attack and fought in hospital for two weeks before very sadly dying on Sunday, 21 July 2024.

After the attack, the defendants returned to their car with Antonis’ mobile phone. Amin Alliche then drove them all back across the Thames to the Northwest London area, where they sold the device. After they returned to their “home turf” in Camden, they hid the stolen vehicle under a car cover, which they had also stolen.

While there was no CCTV of the attack, officers went to painstaking lengths to trace the movements of the defendants in the lead up to the murder. They examined hundreds of hours of footage, not only monitoring the significant period of time they spent hanging around outside the nightclub, but also their journey from central London to New Cross, as well as their movements afterwards. Officers also recovered the car, which ultimately proved the defendants were responsible for killing Antonis.

During the course of the investigation several addresses linked to the defendants were searched. A number of weapons were seized Including one zombie knife, five machetes, two swords, two lock knives and seven other knives.

Amin Alliche,18 (28.06.2007) Sofian Alliche, 20 (20.02.05), both of Bury Place WC1, Shian Johnson, 26 (14.07.99), of Argyle Walk WC1, Joshua McCorquodale, 20 (03.08.04), of Upper Park Road NW3, and Alfie Hipple, 18 (25.02.07), of Kentish Town Road NW5 were all found guilty of murder and conspiracy to commit robbery following an eight-week trial at the Old Bailey.

All are due to be sentenced at the same court on Friday, 3 October.