Category: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A teenager has been sentenced to life imprisonment after DNA and phone evidence linked him to the fatal shooting of a woman in Hackney.

Joshua Alexander, 17 (04.02.07) of Wellington Road, E6 will serve a minimum of 29 years after being found guilty of murdering Lianne Gordon almost a year ago.

Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke, who led the investigation, said: “Alexander is a dangerous individual, who at just 16 years old had no qualms about carrying and using a deadly weapon. We are pleased he has been brought to justice and that he will now spend a significant period behind bars.

“Our thoughts of course remain with the loved ones of Lianne Gordon, a mother of two who was shot dead for reasons we may never fully understand. We know this has been an extremely difficult time and we will continue to offer them our full support.”

Police were called at 18:28hrs on Tuesday, 5 December 2023, to reports of a shooting outside an address in Vine Close, E5. Officers and paramedics from the London Ambulance Service attended and found three people with gunshot wounds.

Despite the efforts of the emergency services, Lianne, aged 42, sadly died at the scene.

Two other people, a 20-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy, were taken to hospital for treatment to injuries that were not life threatening.

Alexander was arrested at his home address on 8 December 2023 – a search of his home found Class A drugs, a machete, a ‘burner phone’ and drug paraphernalia. A glove seized from the property also had his DNA and firearm residue on it, linking him to the fatal shooting.

Analysis of his devices showed that after he returned home from the shooting, he conducted 65 searches on news sites and social media relating to a ‘fatal shooting in Hackney’ and ‘Lianne Gordon’.

Footage seized by officers also showed the defendant approaching the two other victims as they stood outside Lianne Gordon’s home on Vine Close. He fired shots at them both as they attempted to hide behind parked cars.

It was at this point that Lianne, realising she was in danger, attempted to close the door, but the teenager was able to shoot her before she could do so.

A post-mortem examination confirmed that Lianne had died from a gunshot wound to the head.

Officers would later seize song lyrics, composed by the defendant in his cell, that were a self-congratulating outline of the murder and the shootings.

Alexander was also sentenced to:

-Attempted murder relating to an incident at Hackney Central station on 1 March 2023: 16 years, concurrent to the above.

-Two counts of attempted murder in relation to the two male victims on 5 December: 14 years each, to be served concurrently

-Affray: Two years detention and training order, concurrent

-Possession of a blade: Two years detention and training order, concurrent

-Possession of a firearm: Three years, concurrent

The above three convictions relate to an incident on 2 December 2023 where shots were fired close to the entrance to Vine Close. Forensic testing showed the same gun was used in Lianne’s murder.

-Possession with intent to supply cocaine: 30 months (concurrent)

-Possession with intent to supply heroin: 30 months (concurrent)

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been charged with attempted murder, as part of an investigation into a serious assault in Stratford.

Police were called at 21:10hrs on Monday, 19 August following an assault which occurred on Elis Way, Stratford.

The victim was taken to hospital with significant stab wounds to the head, abdomen and back. Their injuries have been deemed as life-changing.

Officers from the local CID have carried out a number of enquiries and on Friday, 29 November a man was arrested.

Jasanth Sivanesa (18.05.2003) 21 of Forrester Way, Stratford has since been charged with attempted murder. He has been remanded into custody and will appear at Stratford Magistrates Court on Monday, 2 December.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been charged with murder as part of an investigation into the death of a woman in Greenland Quay.

Police were called to an address shortly before 15:00hrs on Friday, 29 November following reports of a woman with stab wounds.

The victim was taken to hospital, where she sadly died later that evening.

She has since been identified as 57-year-old Margaret Cunningham.

Officers arrested a man in Rotherhithe. Andrew Cunningham, 61 has since been charged with murder in connection with this investigation.

He has been remanded into custody and will appear at Croydon Magistrates Court on Monday, 2 December.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Met officers have released images of a man they want to speak to in connection with an alleged public order offence in central London in the vicinity of the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign protest and the counter protest by Stop the Hate.

On Saturday, 30 November between 13:00hrs and 16:00hrs the man is alleged to have committed an offence on Coventry Street.

A white man can be seen wearing a dark flat cap, a dark brown jacket, dark brown scarf and black rucksack.

Anyone who recognises the man in this photo or has any other information about the incident should call 101 with reference 01/1145262/24.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Officers have arrested a man as part of an investigation into an allegation of rape at a venue in Soho.

The investigation, which is led by detectives from the Central West Public Protection Team, was launched following reports of a woman being raped inside The Groucho Club, in Dean Street, on Wednesday, 13 November. The woman is being supported by specialist officers.

On the evening of Saturday, 30 November, officers arrested a 34-year-old man at an address in Hertfordshire on suspicion of rape. He remains in custody.

On Tuesday, 26 November, a Westminster Council licensing hearing ruled that the licence for The Groucho Club should be suspended for up to 28 days until a full hearing can take place. The initial hearing was held following an application by the Met which raised concerns that the venue had breached licensing conditions and had been the scene of the serious criminal offence set out above.

At this stage, there is no suggestion that employees of the venue were involved in the commission of the offence.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A policing operation will take place on Sunday, 1 December covering a march organised by the Kurdish community in response to the arrest of seven people on Wednesday, 27 November on suspicions of terrorism offences linked to the PKK.

Each event requires a substantial amount of planning in the context of various events and day-to-day business happening across the capital.

The Met’s goal is to protect the lawful right to protest while minimising the impact of these events on those who live, work and visit London.

Ahead of the march there has been negotiation and engagement with event organisers. This weekend has been busy and is expected to be one of the busiest shopping weeks ahead of Christmas – so all conditions are considered in this context to allow people intending to visit central London and businesses to operate without serious disruption.

Chief Superintendent Joe McDonald, who is leading the policing operation, said:

“We have spoken with the organisers of the protest to agree a route for and assembly point, as well as start and finish, to seek to minimise disruption and balance the right to protest.

“We understand the strength of feeling from the Kurdish community and want to take this opportunity to remind anyone taking part in the march that the Partiya Karkeren Kurdistani (PKK) is proscribed by the UK Government and expressing support for them is a criminal offence.

“Officers will be highly visible along the protest route and wider area to ensure the events take place safely and will deal with any offences.”

The Kurdish community will assembly before the protest on the west side of Trafalgar Square at 13:00 hrs until 14:15 hrs when the procession will start.

The procession will move from Trafalgar Square, down Northumberland Avenue, along Victoria Embankment, turning into Parliament Square and onto Whitehall.

The protest will assembly on Whitehall in the designated area and speeches must finish at 16:30 hrs and the assembly must conclude by 17:00 hrs.

Conditions

The Public Order Act gives the police the power to impose conditions on a procession or assembly of two or more people who are deemed to have a common purpose. 

Conditions can be imposed either in advance of an event or by the senior officer present during an event. 

On Sunday, 1 December the following conditions will be in place relating to the Kurdish community event:

Assembly – Section 14(3) Public Order Act 1986

The Kurdish community assembly in preparation for the planned procession must be held within the designated area (the red shaded area on Map 1) on Trafalgar Square west side and assembly participants must remain within that area.

The assembly must not commence before 1.00pm and participants must not enter the designated area before that time.

Assembly participants must remain within the designated area until such time as the procession commences, which must be by 2.15pm.

Procession – Section 12(3) Public Order Act 1986

Any person participating in the Kurdish community protest must not deviate from the prescribed route on the attached map (map 2).

The Kurdish community procession must commence by 2.15pm.

Post-procession assembly – Section 14(3) Public Order Act 1986

Any person participating in the Kurdish community protest post procession assembly must remain within the designated area (the red shaded area on map 3)

The speeches must finish at 4.30pm and the assembly must conclude by 5.00pm.

Warning regarding expressing support for proscribed organisations

London is global city and with people joining events from across the country and around the world it is important to reiterate that expressing support for a proscribed organisation in the UK is a criminal offence.

Under the Terrorism Act 2000 (TACT), the Home Secretary may proscribe an organisation if they believe it is concerned in terrorism and it is proportionate to do so.

Proscription makes it a criminal offence to invite or express support for a proscribed organisation through chanting, wearing clothing or display articles such as flags, signs or logos.

Partiya Karkeren Kurdistani (PKK) – which translates as the Kurdistan Worker’s Party – is proscribed by the UK Government and expressing support for them is a criminal offence.

PKK has been proscribed since 2001.

You can read more about proscribed terrorist groups or organisations on the UK Government Website.

It is a criminal offence to:

• belong, or profess to belong, to a proscribed organisation in the UK or overseas (Section 11 TACT)
• invite support for a proscribed organisation (Section 12(1A) TACT)
• express an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation (Section 12(1A) TACT)
• arrange, manage or assist in arranging or managing a meeting in the knowledge that the meeting is to support or further the activities of a proscribed organisation, or is to be addressed by a person who belongs or professes to (Section 12(2) TACT)
• wear clothing or carry or display articles in public in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that the individual is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation (Section 13 TACT)
• publish an image of an item of clothing or other article, such as a flag or logo, in the same circumstances (Section 13(1A) TACT)

Officers policing events will exercise their powers with proportionality and necessity to deal with any offences, being mindful of people’s rights to assemble and express their opinions, and will continue to support those who wish to do so lawfully.

If you have any concerns during an event speak to a police officer or event steward.

If you see material supporting terrorism online report it – visit www.gov.uk/ACT

You can also report suspicious activity by contacting the police in confidence on 0800 789 321

In an emergency, or if you need urgent police assistance, you should always dial 999.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Police are concerned for the welfare of a 14-year old girl who is missing from her home in West Drayton.

Gracie Drake was last seen at home by her grandmother on the morning of Friday, 29 November. Officers understand that Gracie then spoke to her grandmother at 0945 hours to say that she would be visiting her grandmother at work but did not turn up.

A friend later heard from Gracie at 2100 hours via snapchat. The friend reported to officers that she understood that Gracie may be in the company of a boy called Harry on a train to Kent.

Gracie may have connections to Frank Park in Bexleyheath.

Officers are concerned about Gracie’s connection to an older male who is alleged to have made threats toward her.

Gracie is 5ft 5in in height. She last seen wearing black flared trousers, a black t-shirt with a white rim around the collar, a black puffer jacket with black fur around the hood, and black Nike trainers. She has very long dark brown hair and blue eyes.

Enquiries are ongoing to locate Gracie. This includes analysis of available CCTV.

Anyone who may have seen Gracie or who has information about her whereabouts or the people with her is urged to call 101 and quote REF 01/1143888

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A murder investigation has been launched by the Met following the death of a woman at an address on Greenland Quay, SE16 on Friday, 29 November.

Met officers were called shortly before 15:00hrs to reports of a woman who had been stabbed inside an address.

Officers supported the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance and the woman was taken to hospital where she sadly died.

A 61-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn, who is leading the investigation, said: “We received multiple calls from members of the public close to the scene with concerns for the victim yesterday afternoon. Officers together with the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance responded quickly but sadly, the woman in her 60s died in hospital yesterday evening.

“Our Specialist Crime Command are continuing enquiries today and at this stage, we believe that this was an isolated incident with the man and woman known to each other.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or post @MetCC ref CAD 4235/29November.

To remain 100% anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Police are concerned for the welfare of a 12-year-old girl who is missing from home in Bexleyheath.

Isabelle Lindsay-Nandra, known as Bella, was last seen at 1530 hours on Tuesday, 26 November, when she left school.

Officers believe that she caught a bus to Woolwich and then travelled to King George V DLR station, arriving at 2200 hours.

She has been missing before, but never for this period of time.

She may be in the company of a man, described as Black, in his 20s with a small beard. He may be called Marshall or another name beginning with M.

She may also have been in the company of another man, described as South Asian, who had a physical fight with the other man.

Isabelle is 5ft 3ins in height. She was wearing school uniform with a black Canada goose coat and blue suede boots with bows on the back.

Enquiries are ongoing to identify the men and locate Isabelle. This includes analysis of available CCTV.

Anyone who may have seen Isabelle or who has information about her whereabouts or the people with her is urged to call 101 and quote REF 01/1130151/24.

For an immediate sighting, dial 999.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Detectives are appealing for witnesses following a fatal collision in Battersea.

Police were called at about 02:30hrs on Thursday, 1 August to reports of an injured woman in the road at Silverthorne Road, SW8.

Officers and the London Ambulance Service (LAS) attended. At the scene, they found 23-year-old Carolina Ramirez Jimenez – who is believed to have been the pillion passenger on a Yamaha motorbike – with a serious head injury.

She was taken by LAS to a south London hospital where sadly, despite the efforts of medical staff, she died. Her family was informed and continue to be supported by officers.

Officers could not find any vehicles that may have been involved in the incident at the scene, but have been carrying out a range of further enquiries since it happened.

Detectives from the Roads and Transport Policing Command are investigating. They would like to speak with anyone who was in the area at the time and who may have seen the motorbike or a dark coloured Range Rover.

Detectives would also like to hear from anyone who may have dash cam footage.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 020 8543 5157 or via 101 quoting CAD 710/01Aug.

Two men, aged 23 and 34 years old, have subsequently been arrested on suspicion of motoring offences including causing death by dangerous driving. They have been bailed pending further enquiries.