Category: Police

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been jailed for the murder of Jordan Briscoe in Tottenham.

Vittorio Di Murro – 26 (16.07.98) of Cassiobury Road, E17 was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years at the Old Bailey on Friday, 20 December.

He had been found guilty of Jordan’s murder at the conclusion of a trial at the same court on Wednesday, 18 December after a jury took less than an hour to deliver their verdict.

He had fled to Italy prior to police identifying him as a suspect. Officers from the National Crime Agency’s international network, working with Italian law enforcement and INTERPOL, helped to secure the arrest of Di Murro in Anzio, Italy, on 14 October 2023. He was extradited to the UK on 22 November 2023 and charged with murder.

Claudette Briscoe, Jordan’s mother, said: “Our dearest Jordan was only 25 years old. He is not coming back and those sentenced are responsible for Jordan not being with his family and friends today. Our lives will never be the same due to the senseless actions of these people.

“We would like to thank the police investigation team and the prosecution team for all their hard work.”

Following the court’s decision to find Di Murro guilty, Detective Inspector Louise Caveen, a homicide detective from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said: “This was a detailed and comprehensive investigation utilising extensive CCTV, phone and forensic evidence. It took the jury less than an hour to return their verdict of guilty for Di Murro demonstrating the comprehensive nature of the case my team built against him.

“Di Murro’s conviction brings this investigation to a close. It has been nearly two years since Jordan was attacked and killed and his family have had to endure two court cases to see all those involved convicted for their part in his murder.

“The strength and dignity they have displayed throughout this period is in stark contrast to those who have been found guilty for the heinous attack on Jordan. The evidence against all of them was conclusive yet they refused to admit their guilt.

“I hope this final conviction affords Jordan’s family and friends some sense of closure as they continue to try and rebuild their lives following their tragic loss.

Simone Alleyne, International Senior Manager at the National Crime Agency, said:

“Working alongside our colleagues in Italy and INTERPOL, we helped to secure the arrest of Vittorio Di Murro – a dangerous criminal who helped to carry out a violent attack on London’s streets.

“Serious crime does not respect borders, and it is essential that we collaborate with partners across the world to both disrupt criminality before it reaches the UK, and ensure those who seek to avoid the consequences of their actions are brought to justice.”

An investigation was launched after police were called to Arnold Road, N15 at around 22:15hrs on Sunday, 5 March 2023 to reports of a man who had been attacked. Officers began first aid, alongside colleagues from the London Ambulance Service, but Jordan was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at hospital.

A post-mortem examination found the cause of death to be sharp force trauma to the chest.

An investigation was launched and specialist murder detectives worked tirelessly to piece together the events of the evening.

Di Murro was part of a group of five men who lay in wait for Jordan after he was lured by a phone call to Arnold Road.

Other members of the group who were convicted of murder at an earlier trial were Ayyub Kigozi; Karl Black; Jahoe Allen and Jabir Sitar.

Call records revealed that Christina Manen, who was found guilty of manslaughter at the earlier trial, rang Jordan and then sent him a message requesting to meet on Arnold Road so she could purchase drugs from him.

In reality, she was not even in London and was luring him to an address, knowing others would be there to meet him.

CCTV showed Jordan leaving his house to make the deal. At around 21:53hrs, doorbell footage recovered by officers showed a group surround and talk to Jordan for around 11 minutes, asking him about drugs, his name and age and his religion.

They then moved out of the camera’s view and carried out the fatal attack. One person can be heard saying ‘let’s go let’s go’ before they are captured leaving the scene.

Detectives gathered CCTV from before and after the murder, which showed the group meeting up at Di Murro and Black’s address in Cassiobury Road, Walthamstow before heading to the ambush site, several miles away. Whilst Black had planned the attack, he tried to distance himself by remaining out of Arnold Road, but close enough to control what was happening.

Just before they left Walthamstow, Allen was seen outside of the house appearing to do a jabbing motion towards the stomach area of one of the other group, pre-empting what was about to happen.

Jordan’s girlfriend told police that a man wearing a ski mask had come to her home to say Jordan had been involved in an altercation. He told her it ‘wasn’t looking good for him’, before asking if she found him attractive. He then led her towards Arnold Road where she came across the police cordon. Officers were able to match the description she provided with the CCTV images to conclude this had been Jahoe Allen.

= On 22 March 2024 at the Old Bailey, the following people were convicted of Jordan’s murder. Ayyub Kigozi was also found guilty of the robbery of Jordan’s mobile phone during the incident. They were sentenced on 30 April at the same court:

Karl Black, now 44 (06.10.80) of Cassiobury Road E17 – life imprisonment with a minimum term of 27.5 years;
Jahoe Allen, 34 (19.04.90) of Kings Road UB8 – life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25.5 years;
Ayyub Kigozi, 19 (30.04.05) of Salop Road E17 – life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years for murder, plus two years for the robbery, to run concurrently
Jabir Sitar, 21 (29.06.02) of Clacton Road E17 – life imprisonment with a minimum term of 19 years.

Christina Manen, 37 (02.04.87) of Lancaster Close, Ramsgate, was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A murder investigation is under way after a woman was found with stab wounds in Carshalton.

Police were called at approximately 10:30hrs on Thursday, 19 December to reports of a woman found injured inside an address in Nutfield Close.

Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Although formal identification is yet to take place, officers have named her as 42-year-old Gemma Devonish. Her family has been informed and is being supported by specially trained officers.

A post-mortem examination will be held in due course.

A 38-year-old man was arrested in the early hours of Friday, 20 December on suspicion of murder and remains in custody. He and Gemma were known to each other and, at this time, detectives are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.

The investigation is being led by detectives from the Specialist Crime Command.

Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila said: “Our thoughts today are with Gemma’s family and friends who are trying to come to terms with this truly tragic event. We are offering them all the support that we can.

“We know that the wider community will also be impacted and I would urge anyone with concerns to please speak with local officers.

“While we have made an arrest detectives continue to carry out a number of enquiries as we build a picture of the events that led to this horrific murder.

“I would ask anyone who was in the area of Nutfield Close who may have seen or heard anything suspicious, particularly on Wednesday 18 or morning of Thursday 19 December, to make contact.”

Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain, from the South Area Command Unit responsible for policing in Sutton said:

“I share the shock and concern that this terrible incident will have on the local community in Sutton. A team of specialist detectives is already making significant progress in this investigation and have swiftly arrested a man who is now in police custody.

“Local residents will see an increased number of officers in and around Nutfield Close while important investigative work is carried out. I want to thank residents for their patience while this continues and would urge anyone with concerns to speak to one of them so they can assist.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020 7175 2206 or via 101 quoting CAD 3012/19Dec.

To remain anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been charged with distributing terrorist material and expressing support for a proscribed organisation on social media after an investigation by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.

Abdullah Bellil 29 (04.11.95) was arrested by counter terrorism officers at his home address in Southampton on Wednesday, 18 December and taken into custody.

He has now been charged with three counts of distributing the contents of a terrorist publication via a social media account, contrary to section 2(1)(a) of the Terrorism Act 2006.

He has also been charged with expressing an opinion or belief on social media, that was supportive of a proscribed organisation, namely ISIS, contrary to section 12(1A) of the Terrorism Act 2000.

The charges cover a period from July 2023 to October 2024.

Bellil is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 20 December.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A knife-wielding man who was covered in blood when confronted by brave officers has been jailed for life for a frenzied attack on two women.

Tito Eleto, 30 (30.11.94) of Radipole Road, SW6 previously admitted attempted murder, grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a knife for his actions that stemmed from a domestic dispute.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Lucas Pollard said: “This was a horrific attack on two woman which began on a doorstep and escalated into a fight for their lives.

“The women absolutely thought they were going to die – it must have been terrifying for them, not least as a six-month-old baby was also inside the property.

“I thank the neighbours who heard the women’s screams for help and called police. Those officers then confronted Eleto as he tried to flee and, despite Eleto being still armed with a knife, managed to overpower and arrest him. Other officers who helped the victims described the scene inside the property as “carnage”.

“This type of domestic attack has a long-lasting impact on victims and we will always do our absolute best to investigate and bring offenders to justice.”

The incident happened on Monday, 4 December 2023 at an address in Wandsworth. Eleto arrived at the victim’s home and they had a doorstep conversation.

Eleto then asked the victim to remove the door chain so they could speak properly.

As soon as she did, he forced his way into the flat, kicking the door, and launched an immediate attack. The woman initially thought she was being punched but in fact Eleto was stabbing her.

The victim ran further into the property but was chased by Eleto who continued to attack her.

Eleto then turned his attention to the victim’s mother who was also inside and tried to stab her twice in the head as she came to the aid of her daughter. He succeeded in stabbing her in the armpit before returning to the first victim and stabbing her in the face.

He began to tire and the two women managed to get to a bedroom and lock themselves in with the baby. They screamed for help through a window and were fortunately heard by neighbours who called police.

The women had blocked the bedroom door with a cot but Eleto pushed through, still armed with the knife, and told them “everyone in the room is going to die”.

The victims begged for their lives and the safety of the baby, and Eleto eventually left the flat.

Police had raced to the scene and at the lift Eleto, covered in blood and brandishing the knife, was met by officers.

They used incapacitant spray when he refused to drop the weapon and then a Taser when he started to stab himself.

The officers managed to overpower him and he was arrested before being treated at hospital for his injuries.

Police found both woman inside – the victim in her 30s suffered deep cuts to her face, arms and neck. The other woman, in her 60s, had cuts to her arms. They gave immediate first aid before they were taken to hospital. The baby boy, whose mother was the woman in her 30s, was unharmed.

Eleto was charged, remanded in custody, pleaded guilty and then appeared on Monday, 16 December at Kingston Crown Court.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment to serve a minimum of 12 years for attempted murder of the victim in her 30s, five years to run concurrently for GBH with intent on the woman in her 60s and one year to run concurrently for possession of a knife.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Police are appealing for any possible victims who may not have contacted police to come forward after a man was convicted of child sex offences.

Mustafa Mehmet was found guilty of repeatedly raping a young girl after exploiting a relationship with her mother in Hackney.

Mehmet, 34, (14.02.90), of Malden Court, N4 was unanimously found guilty of rape of a child, causing a child to engage in sexual activity, causing a child to watch a sexual act and assault (ABH) on Friday, 6 December at Wood Green Crown Court.

He has been remanded in custody and sentencing will be at the same court on Friday, 31 January 2025.

The sexual assaults and abuse took place over a three-year period from the mid-2000s and started when the child was eight years old.

Detectives from Central East’s Child Abuse Investigation Team have been working to identify possible further victims of Mehmet and encourage anyone who has been a victim of Mehmet to come forward and report to the police.

Mehmet exploited his friendship with the victim’s mother, allowing him to gain access to the child to conduct a prolonged campaign of abuse and sexual assault.

An investigation was launched after the victim reported the offences in 2019, leading to Mehmet being charge in January 2024. Local officers supported the victim throughout the investigation and trial, acknowledging the bravery it took to make the first steps in reporting the crime in the first place.

Detective Constable Megan Davidson of the Central East Child Abuse Investigation Team, said:

“Mehmet is a dangerous and predatory sex offender. He exploited an innocent relationship with a young family to abuse their children.

“It has taken tremendous courage on the part of the victim to report this to the Metropolitan Police, without which Mehmet may not have faced justice.

“The Metropolitan Police Service tirelessly pursues those who commit violence against women and girls. Whilst we cannot reverse the impact that this abuse has had on the victim, this conviction will bring some justice to the victim.

“I remain concerned that Mehmet may have committed other offences that have yet to be reported to us. If you recognise this man as having had any relationship with your family and believe that you or a family member may have been a victim of his abuse, please contact us immediately.

“Specially trained officers will be there to listen to you and provide you with any support you may require.”

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Detectives are appealing for witnesses to a serious collision in Lambeth that has left a man in a critical condition.

At about 15:20hrs on Wednesday, 18 December, officers came upon a collision involving a motorbike and pedestrian on Kennington Lane, SE11.

The London Ambulance Service attended and the pedestrian, who is aged in his 50s, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

His family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

The rider stopped at the scene, and was also taken to hospital for treatment to minor injuries.

Road closures remain in place while officers examine the scene.

Detectives from the Roads and Transport Policing Command are leading the investigation. They would like to speak with anyone who witnessed the collision or captured it on dash cam.

Anyone with information is asked to call police via 101 quoting CAD 4458/18Dec.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Detectives investigating a double shooting in Canning Town have carried out a number of warrants resulting in the arrest of three people.

Police were called at about 02:05hrs on Saturday, 26 October to reports of a shooting on Thorne Close, near Rogers Road, E16.

Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended and found two men, aged 25 and 27, injured.

They were both taken to hospital with gunshot injuries where they received medical treatment. Both were later discharged from hospital.

In the early hours of Wednesday, 18 December, detectives from the Specialist Crime Command supported by colleagues from the Firearms Command and Taskforce, executed warrants at addresses across east London and Essex.

Two males, aged 16 and 18, and a 27-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and taken into police custody where they remain.

Detective Inspector David Hickford said: “These arrests mark a significant point in our investigation to establish exactly what happened, and why, on 26 October.

“Two men sustained injuries as a result of being shot and it is vital that we hear from anyone who was in the area that night, and who is yet to speak with officers.

“I would also ask that you check any dash cam footage to see if you captured the shooting.”

Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC quoting CAD 757/26Oct.

You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.