Category: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man who rammed a stolen car into a police officer following a high speed chase in north London has been jailed.

David Doyle, 19 (13.02.05) of Brick Lane, Northolt was sentenced to five and a half years’ imprisonment at Harrow Crown Court on Thursday, 14 November having previously pleaded guilty at the same court on 1 August. He was also disqualified from driving for 81 months.

At around 18:20hrs on Friday, 17 May, PC Richard Keel was on a marked motorcycle in Camden Street when he spotted Doyle driving a stolen car at dangerous speeds.

PC Keel started a pursuit, only for Doyle to reverse towards him multiple times at high speed, striking him hard on the third attempt and knocking him off his bike.

Doyle then sped off leaving PC Keel with significant injuries. Members of the public were thankfully on hand to help the officer before alerting the London Ambulance Service.

Officers launched an investigation the same day, locating the stolen vehicle one mile away from where the attack occurred. Officers then trawled through CCTV footage and forensic evidence before identifying Doyle as the main suspect.

He was arrested on Thursday, 23 May before being charged the following day with driving offences and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

PC Keel, who is based on the Central North Command Unit, said: “Although I’m on a challenging journey to recovery, I’m pleased that Doyle has been brought to justice for the attack. This incident is a reminder of the dangers we face as we strive to keep communities and Londoners safe.

“I would like to thank the members of the public that helped me that day and my colleagues who have been extremely supportive during this difficult time.”

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: “Every day 18 of our officers are assaulted in the line of duty protecting the public. Two are seriously injured each week. I am constantly humbled by the selfless and brave commitment of the men and women of the Met who put their lives on the line to keep Londoners safe. That’s exactly what PC Keel did and I am pleased we were able to bring his attacker swiftly to justice.

“I had the opportunity to thank PC Keel for his service and wish him a speedy recovery. I’d also like to thank those members of the public and London Ambulance Service paramedics for the help they provided following the incident.”

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Four men have been jailed for a total of 79 years’ imprisonment for the fatal shooting and stabbing of 17-year-old Tyler McDermott and the attempted murder of another man in Tottenham in 2023.

The men were all sentenced at the Old Bailey on Thursday, 14 November, following a three month trial.

Detective Inspector Devan Taylor, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “My thoughts remain with Tyler’s family who have remained dignified throughout this lengthy process. I commend them for the way they have carried themselves during these extremely difficult few months. I know they are absolutely devastated to have lost him in such tragic circumstances.

“Nothing will bring Tyler back but I hope the sentences handed down to these individuals will help provide his friends and family with some form of closure. No family should ever have to suffer the loss of a loved one.

“An innocent young life was lost in such a cold and senseless way. These young men had a choice that night and – for reasons only known to them – they chose to resort to violence.”

Detectives worked around the clock following the incident outside a music studio in Norman Road, Tottenham, to identify the suspects involved in the attack. This complex investigation included pain-staking analysis of hundreds of hours of CCTV footage to bring those involved to justice.

The jury heard that Tyler and his friend left the music recording studio in the early hours of 13 April 2023 when he was shot and then stabbed by a group of men. The prosecution’s case was that tensions began to arise after one of the defendants involved in the case became upset at being filmed inside the studio. This resulted in a confrontation outside the studio and led to Tyler’s murder.

Emergency services attended the scene and took Tyler to hospital, but sadly he succumbed to his injuries and died the following day.

Working around the clock to establish the circumstances of the tragic incident, detectives discovered that Tyrese Barnett shot Tyler and Leo Reid struck him with a large machete when he was already laying on the floor with gunshot injuries.

At the trial, the jury also heard that Barnett had discharged the firearm a second time while aiming the gun at Tyler’s friend. Fortunately, he missed and Tyler’s friend was not harmed.

The examination of CCTV footage from inside and outside of the recording studio on the night of the attack also showed what other people present at the scene were doing.

Rhys Antwi was seen on CCTV arming himself with a sword underneath his clothes inside the studio just before the shooting and the same sword was recovered from his address in Streatham. This showed he was readily armed and capable to use the weapon, should it have been required.

Kalam Bagge, who was in possession of a knife, was also captured on CCTV footage inside the studio just before the murder which revealed that he knew that Barnett had taken possession of the firearm and therefore knew violence was likely.

+ Sentencing details:

Tyrese Barnett, 20 (24.02.04) of Moyers Road, Newham, was sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 30 years, for murder, attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Leo Reid, 21 (05.10.03) of Tulse Hill, Lambeth, was sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 22 years, for murder and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

Rhys Antwi, 20 (30.03.04) of Prentis Road, Lambeth, was sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 14 years, for murder and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

Kalam Bagge, 19 (04.03.05) of Nimrod Road, Lambeth, was sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 13 years, for murder.

The jury concluded that Antwi and Bagge assisted and/or encouraged Barnett and Reid to carry out the fatal attack and they were both convicted of murder alongside Barnett and Reid.

+ Two other men, now aged 20 and 21, also stood trial and were acquitted of Tyler’s murder.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Police are concerned for the welfare of a man who is missing from his home in New Barnet.

Brendan Gallagher, 64 – also known as Ben Gallagher – was last seen on 2 October near his home address. He had been taken home by ambulance, but he is not thought to have remained at the property for any period of time.

Brendan speaks with an Irish accent and has family connections to Ireland. When missing previously he was located in the Green Lanes area.

Officers issued a social media appeal to locate him, without success. They are now renewing appeals and issuing an image of Brendan when last seen in the ambulance.

Anyone who may have seen Brendan should call 101, ref 01/1020537/24. For an immediate sighting please dial 999.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Police are appealing for assistance in identifying a man in connection with a sexual assault in Westminster.

At around 2:30hrs on 26 April, the victim was in a nightclub in Lisle Street, WC2.

The woman, aged in her 20s, was speaking to a man when he leant forward and bit her on the chest. The victim did not require hospital treatment.

The man left the club a short time later. He is described as aged in his 40s – in fact he told the victim he was 42 – and spoke with what the victim described as a ‘European accent’.

Officers are releasing CCTV of a man they wish to trace.

Anyone who knows his identity is asked to call police on 101, quoting reference 01/272646/24. To remain anonymous, please contact Crimestoppers.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A thorough and speedy investigation by detectives has led to three people being charged following a stabbing near Finsbury Park Station in Islington.

Police attended the scene at around 14:40hrs on Monday, 11 November and found a man with stab wounds.

Officers also recovered an axe and a flick knife from the scene.

The 20-year old man was taken to hospital for treatment by the London Ambulance Service, where his condition was treated as potentially life-changing. He is still being treated in hospital but is stable.

Two men and a boy were arrested shortly after the incident and have now been charged.

Mohamed Hussen Ali, 23 (21.04.01), Ali Hussein Ali, 26 (25.05.98) and a 16-year-old boy – who are all from Islington – have all been charged with violent disorder, possession of an offensive weapon and wounding with intent. They are all due to appear at Highbury Magistrates’ Court this afternoon.

Anyone with any information about the incident which may help is asked to call police on 101 or message via X @MetCC quoting CAD 4209/11Nov. To remain anonymous, please contact the independent charity Crimestoppers.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Detectives are appealing for witnesses and any road users with dash cam footage to come forward following a fatal collision in Edmonton.

Shortly after 04:30hrs on 27 October a 28-year-old pedestrian was in collision with a car on the A406 near Meridian Way, N18

Officers, London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance attended by despite the best efforts of the emergency services he was pronounced dead at the scene.

His next of kin have been informed and he can be named as Dickson Achiu.

The car stopped at the scene and the driver is assisting police with enquiries – there has been no arrest.

Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed the collision, or anyone who was travelling on the A406 near Meridian Way at the time of the incident and may have captured events on dash cam to get in contact.

You can call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 020 8246 9820 or dial 101 quoting CAD1717/27Oct.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been charged with two murders in Islington.

Lorik Lupqi, 21 [22.09.2003] was charged with the murders of 15-year-old Leonardo Reid, and 23-year-old Klevi Shekaj who died after being stabbed in the Elthorne Road area at approximately 23:30hrs on Thursday, 29 June, 2023.

He is also charged with the attempted murder of another man injured in the same incident and appears at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 13 November.

Lupqi was extradited from Kosovo after detectives, worked with the Kosovan authorities, the National Crime Agency [NCA] and the Crown Prosecution Service [CPS] to coordinate his return.

+

Four men have already been charged as part of this investigation.

All four are currently remanded in custody.

[D] Jason Furtado 26 (18.12.96) of Halton Road, N1, was charged with two counts of murder, attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon.

[B] Abel Chunda, 27 (03.01.96), of Highgate Hill, N19, was charged with two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon.

[E] Eden Clark, 29 (28.01.94), of Huddleston Road N7, was charged with two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon.

Xavier Poponne, 21 (06.11.02) of Halton Road, Islington, N1 was charged on 1 May 2024 with two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and two counts of possession with intent to supply the Class A drugs.

A trial date has been set for 17 March 2025.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man who raped two teenagers has been convicted following an investigation by specialist detectives from the Met.

On Tuesday, 12 November Himanshu Makwana, 42 (04.04.82) of Thurlby Road, Wembley, was found guilty of two counts of rape at Harrow Crown Court (sitting at Willesden Magistrates).

The two offences were carried out on separate occasions, four years apart, but both with strikingly similar circumstances.

In 2019, Makwana used a Snapchat account to communicate with his first victim, who was aged 18. After speaking for a few months, they decided to meet. He drove her to an empty office block, and once inside of the building, he raped her.

The offence was reported to police at the time and no suspect was identified.

In April 2023, Makwana again posed as a 19-year-old man on Snapchat and started speaking to his second victim, who had only recently turned 16.

Shortly afterwards, he parked on a street close to the victim’s school and waited for her, before asking for her help.

The victim agreed and helped Makwana carry some books. He then locked her in his car and identified himself as ‘Samir’ which was the fake identity he had used on Snapchat.

After supplying the victim with alcohol, he drove her to an empty commercial premises, where he raped her.

Detective Constable Lewis Jelley who led the investigation said: “Makwana posed as a young man on social media in order to prey on young girls. He carried out a horrific act on one woman and then did it again a few years later. I am delighted that the jury have found him guilty after a painstaking investigation.

“I want to thank the two brave young women who came forward and reported the offences to us and how patient they were with the investigation. Without their courage we would not be in the position we are today.

“This verdict shows how the Met is dedicated to tacking violence against women and girls. It does not matter how long ago an offence took place, we will work to secure a conviction.”

Makwana was arrested on 27 November 2023, the day after the second victim reported the incident, thanks to an image captured by a witness which showed Makwana’s car used in the incident. This enabled officers to locate the vehicle, and arrest Makwana.

Analysis of a DNA sample taken on his arrest identified him as the previously unknown suspect for the offence against the first victim in 2019.

He was then charged with the rapes of both victims on 22 December 2023, and remanded in custody ahead of trial.

Makwana will be sentenced at the same court on 17 January 2025.

A New Met for London is improving how we protect women and girls from violence, largely at the hands of predatory and abusive men. We encourage victims to come forward and help us put an end to this extreme violence – to report rape or sexual abuse, find out more: https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rsa/rape-and-sexual-assault/how-to-report-rape-and-sexual-assault/