Category: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Operation Venice officers at Carole Nash MCN Motorcycle show

The Metropolitan Police Service’s Operation Venice team, who tackle scooter, moped and motorcycle crime, are appearing at the Carole Nash MCN Motorcycle Show at the ExCel Exhibition Centre, 16 to 18 February.

Officers will be engaging with members of the public and vehicle owners who visit their stand to talk about what the Met is doing to tackle scooter, moped and motorcycle theft and related crime and the risk of vehicle theft.

Also, on display will be the Met’s new BMW F700 GS (p) purpose built, lightweight motorcycle, and their DNA tagging spray which squirts an invisible identifying liquid.

In June 2017, the Met launched the ‘Be Safe’ campaign, which raises awareness with riders of what they can do to reduce the risk of their vehicle being stolen, focussing primarily on scooter riders, who are less likely to use strong security products.

In many cases, owners have inadequate security or no security at all on their scooters, making it easy for thieves to steal them and then use them to commit snatch and robbery offences. Security measures alone cannot guarantee two-wheeled vehicles will not be stolen, but every step taken makes them less attractive to a thief – vehicle owners are reminded to lock, chain and cover their bikes.

Commander Julian Bennett, the Met’s lead on scooter, moped and motorcycle crime, said: “Police are working hard to keep the public safe and make the streets hostile territory for criminals who steal scooters, mopeds and motorcycles and use them to snatch valuables from members of the public.

“We want to prevent the theft of scooters, mopeds and motorcycles in the first place so they can’t be used in the commission of further crime.

“Our presence at the Motorcycle Show puts us right amongst riders so we can engage with them, listen to what they have to say and directly advise them about properly securing their vehicles to reduce their risk of theft.”

“The more visible the security, the less visible your scooter is to thieves: adding extra security makes it harder for them to steal – always remember: Lock, Chain, Cover.”

Rebecca Donohue, Head of Marketing at Carole Nash, said: “Tackling the issue of bike theft is a cause that is close to our hearts, so we are delighted to welcome the Operation Venice team to the show. They are doing a lot of great work to help fight this ongoing issue and we know riders will appreciate the opportunity to discuss what can be done both by the police and by bikers themselves to limit the possibility of theft.

“Along with the rest of the motorcycle industry, we encourage the use of locks, chains and bike covers, as well as forensic tagging kits such as our own DNA+ which every policyholder receives. While we can never guarantee that thefts won’t take place, the riding community should take a range of measures to make it as difficult as possible for thieves.”

ADVICE: Whilst we are continually tackling this crime there is much the owners of mopeds and motorcycles can do themselves and the Met advises the following steps:

– Parking: Choose designated parking with a stand and security loop, or if this is not available try areas with lots of people, good lighting and CCTV.

– Locks: Use more than one lock, focusing on disc locks and chain locks, fitted tight to the bike and through difficult-to-remove parts.

– Time: When leaving your bike for a long period or overnight, lock it to something secure and use a motorbike cover. At home consider using fitted anchors to secure your bike.

– Attention: Use audible alarms where possible to draw unwanted attention to the thieves.

– Marking: Choose to mark your bike parts with the vehicle identification number (VIN) number, your postcode or registration number using an ultraviolet marker pen or property marking kit.

– Insurance: Some companies will offer discounts on your insurance if you invest in certain security measures, so ask before you make your purchase.

Details of the Met’s Be Safe campaign can be found at: https://www.met.police.uk/about-the-met/campaigns/be-safe-campaign/be-safe-scooter-theft/

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Three males sentenced to life imprisonment for Croydon murder

Three males found guilty of the murder of Croydon teenager Jermaine Goupall have been sentenced today, Thursday, 15 February at the Old Bailey to life imprisonment.

Adam Benzahi, 21, (4.09.96) of Croydon was senetnced to life imprisonment and will serve a minimum term of 22 years; Samuel Oliver-Rowland, 18 (26.09.99) of Epsom Road, Croydon was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years; and Junior Simpson, 17, (18.1.01) of Northdown Crescent, Croydon was also sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 18 years.

They were found guilty of murder on Wednesday, 14 February following a trial at the Old Bailey which started on 8 January.

Saskia Haye-Elliot, 18 (02.04.99) of Northdowns Crescent, Croydon was found guilty of manslaughter and today was sentenced to 12 years and six months imprisonment.

Jermaine, 15, was with friends outside the Costcutter shop in Green Lane, Croydon on the evening of 8 August 2017 when a silver-coloured Ford Focus car pulled up and a number of people wearing balaclavas and armed with knives and a machete got out and chased them.

Most of the group took cover in the shop. Jermaine was chased on foot with the car also following. His attackers caught up with him and stabbed him.

Police were called to Green Lane at around 23:00hrs and members of the public rushed to help Jermaine as he lay injured before police officers and the London Ambulance Service arrived.

Jermaine was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before midnight. A post-mortem gave cause of death as a single stab wound to the leg – his femoral vein had been wounded.

The Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command launched an investigation.

The suspects were identified through mobile phone analysis, CCTV enquiries which identified the vehicle in which the suspects travelled to the scene and information from the community.

During the trial, the court heard that Jermaine and his friends were possibly targeted due to ongoing tensions between rival gangs in the area. However, police believe that Jermaine was not himself an active gang member.

Information received led officers to the suspects, and analysis of their mobile phone activity placed them in the area, and showed that they were in contact before and after the murder with no use at the time of the murder.

Oliver-Rowland, Haye-Elliot and Simpson were arrested between 11 and 17 August and charged whilst in custody. Benzahi was arrested on 31 October and charged the following day.

DCI Tony Lynes, who led the investigation, said: “Jermaine and his group of friends were targeted by armed suspects with their faces covered who chased Jermaine and carried out a terrifying, violent attack.

“I can only imagine the fear Jermaine felt as he was attacked. Members of the public rushed to his aid as they tried to stem the bleeding and keep Jermaine calm before the emergency services arrived and continued to administer first aid, but tragically he died from his injuries.

“These four defendants denied involvement, but the weight of evidence against them was enough to convince a jury of their guilt.

“Jermaine’s senseless murder appears to have stemmed from gang rivalry and violence, and we now have a family left utterly devastated and the lives of all involved blighted forever.

“I would like to highlight the courage and dignity Jermaine’s family have shown since his death and throughout the trial, and I hope the verdict and upcoming sentences will offer them some comfort and help ease their enduring grief as they continue to come to terms with their tragic loss.”

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: CCTV image appeal issued following violent robbery in Newham

Detectives in Newham investigating the violent robbery of an elderly man continue to appeal for information as the independent charity Crimestoppers announce a reward is available.

The reward of up to £10,000 is being offered by Crimestoppers for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the people or person responsible for the robbery.

To give information and qualify for the reward, which is valid until 6 May, Crimestoppers can be contacted 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or by using their anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org. <http://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=7089&d=sNKF2p5lRjijOOmdl5JXWGyPwHlNU9dXEgWNbhWe0A&u=http%3a%2f%2fcrimestoppers-uk%2eorg> People must provide information to Crimestoppers directly rather than police to qualify for the reward.

At approximately 18:55hrs on Sunday, 27 August 2017, Ahmet Dobran, 82, who lived in East Ham for the majority of his life, was attacked and robbed by three men on Sussex Road.

As a result of the attack Mr Dobran sustained three fractures to his vertebrae after one of the three men grabbed him by the neck whilst the others reigned blows to his back and arms.

They then forced him to the ground, where they removed his gold bracelet and Longine wristwatch.

The attack aggravated other conditions, such as Parkinson’s, and a cancer the victim was receiving treatment for.

He died in hospital in the early hours of Monday, 15 January.

A post mortem was held on 19 January at East Ham Mortuary. The cause of death was inconclusive pending further tests.

Police previously released CCTV images of three men they want to trace in connection with this attack. One man – aged 33 – was charged on 12 December 2017 and awaits trail but two men are yet to be identified. .

The Homicide and Major Crime Command have been informed but at this time the investigation remains with officers in Newham.

Detective Inspector Iain Wallace, of Newham CID said: “Mr Dobran was hospitalised following the attack in August and had been in an induced coma for several weeks until he was recently introduced to a nursing home. Sadly Mr Dobran’s health deteriorated soon after and he was taken to hospital and passed away.

“His family are utterly devastated and, whilst we are unable to ascertain at this time that he died as a result of the attack, we do know that at the very least it may have aggravated other existing conditions. We await the results of the post-mortem to determine this.

“Whilst one of the men has now been identified and charged we are still keen to trace two other men who are still outstanding. Someone knows who these men are and I would urge them to come forward to stop thm from using the same level of violence on another vulnerable person.”

To pass on information completely anonymously or to qualify for the reward, contact the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org <http://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=7089&d=sNKF2p5lRjijOOmdl5JXWGyPwHlNU9dXEgTabRzBiw&u=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2ecrimestoppers-uk%2eorg%2f> .

Alternatively, anyone with information or any witnesses can also contact police on 101 or Tweet @MetCC.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Man jailed for 12 years for historic indecent assaults against girls aged under 14

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Murder investigation begins following fatal stabbing of 17-year-old in Newham

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Further appeal for information after Enfield man shot dead

Detectives investigating a murder in north London have named the victim as they continue to appeal for information about the ‘targeted hit’.

Police were called at 23.44hrs on Monday, 12 February, to Mount Pleasant, at the junction with Edgeworth Road, Barnet EN4 to reports of shots fired.

Officers attended, including specialist firearms officers, and found the man suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite the best efforts of London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance colleagues, he was pronounced dead at the scene at 00.15hrs.

Next of kin have been informed. While formal identification has yet to take place, officers are satisfied that the victim is Bulent Kabala, 41, (05.10.76) of Enfield. His next of kin have been informed.

A post-mortem examination is due to be held on Thursday, 15 February, at Northwick Park mortuary.

There have been no arrests.

Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh of the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our investigation is in its early stages, but everything would suggest that this was a targeted ‘hit’.

“I want to build up a picture of why someone would have wanted to kill Bulent Kabala.

“Bulent was driving a silver Mercedes, which he had been using in his work as a taxi driver. For some reason, Bulent appears to have got out of his car having started to negotiate a roundabout when a number of suspects got out of a blue van and several shots were fired, fatally wounding Bulent.

“The suspects then got back into the van and drove from the scene in the direction of Edgeworth Road, turning right into Park Road.

“It is vital that we hear from anyone who witnessed this incident, and from anyone who can help us understand more about Bulent’s life and the people he associated with.

“Any fragment of information could assist the investigation. Please do not assume that we already have your information.

“I understand that some people may be reluctant to call police, but we urgently need your assistance in building up a picture of Bulent’s life and the events surrounding his death. Your call will be treated in the strictest of confidence.”

Anyone with information can contact the incident room on 020 8785 8099 or tweet @MetCC. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Man dies after suspected collision with a vehicle in Ladbroke Grove

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Man jailed for Finchley murder

A man found guilty of murdering student Seyyed Rast Mir-Feyzi in Finchley last summer, has been jailed for life.

A second man who was found guilty of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent in the same case was sentenced to eight years in jail.

Haaris Rana, 22, (17.09.95), of Stainby Close, West Drayton, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 19 years for murder.

Yasir Ibrahim, 22, (30.10.95) of Maddison Close, East Finchley, was sentenced to eight years in prison for attempting to cause grievous bodily harm.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Holmes, from the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “This was a violent attack with tragic consequences which has had a devastating impact on Mr Mir-Feyzi’s family.

“Today’s sentencing shows that brutal and vicious attacks like this have strong repercussions and that the full force of the law will be handed down to those that commit these acts.

“It’s likely that Rana, who suffers from a brain condition, will spend the rest of his life behind bars. I hope this brings some sort of justice to Mr Mir-Feyzi’s family.”

Both men were found guilty by a majority jury at the Old Bailey on Friday, 9 February. They were sentenced at the same court on Wednesday, 14 February.

Police were called at 20:35hrs on 31 May 2017 to reports of a car in collision with a pedestrian in the car park of the Great North Leisure Park off High Road in Finchley.

The victim was assaulted during a fight involving a number of people in the car park. Shortly afterwards the car was deliberately driven at the victim.

Officers, the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance attended.

Seyyed was taken by London’s Air Ambulance to an east London hospital. He was pronounced dead on 1 June 2017 at 18:00hrs.

A post-mortem examination took place on 5 June 2017 at Northwick Park Hospital Mortuary and gave the cause of death as catastrophic head injury.

The car – a white BMW – was abandoned at the location but Rana and Ibrahim fled the scene heading towards Finchley High Road.

They were arrested on 4 June 2017 and charged two days later.

Seyyed, from North Finchley, had completed his Bachelor of Science degree in computer network security at Westminster Univsersity shortly before his death.

Mr Mir-Feyzi, Seyyed’s father, added: “Since my son’s death, the man responsible for his murder has also killed my family and me too. I feel like I have lost a part of my body. Knowing that he can never come back has left me and my wife broken.

“We donated our son’s organs and from this, parts of our son live on. Four people have the gift of life because of his death. We were informed that a man in his 30s received one kidney, a female in her 20s received the other, a man in his 30s received his liver and another man in his 40s received our son’s heart.

“It is terrible that his life was cut short in such an unnecessary way. He had a future, he wanted to join the Royal Navy or the Police. He had plans; he had an amazing life; he was loved and I know he would have gone on to do great things.”

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: UPDATE: Man jailed for murder of Celine Dookhran

A man has been sentenced to life with a minimum of 40 years for the the murder of 20-year-old Celine Dookhran following his conviction at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, 14 February. 

Mujahid Arshid, 33 (09.06.84) of Homefield Gardens, Mitcham was also sentenced to varying periods of time of less than 40 years, all to run concurrently with the life sentence, for the other offences he was convicted of at the same time. 

These were: the attempted murder of a second female victim, one count of sexual assault, one count of assault by penetration, two counts of kidnap and two counts of rape. 

Arshid was found not guilty of possession of a firearm.

Police launched an investigation after being called to an address on Coombe Lane West in Kingston on the evening of 19 July 2017.

They had been alerted after the second victim had managed to escape from Arshid and raise the alarm.

Officers attended the property at around 20:00hrs and found Celine’s body. Arshid was quickly identified as a suspect and he was arrested in the early hours of the following morning at a hotel in Folkestone.

Their investigation revealed that Arshid had spent the three weeks prior to the incident planning how he could abduct Celine and the second victim.

He was said to have been motivated to kill by his infatuation for them, and jealousy because of other relationships they were in.

The jury heard that he had carried out internet searches about how to dissolve bodies in acid and how long it took for someone to freeze to death.

On the morning of 19 July, Arshid entered an address on Homefield Gardens in Mitcham wearing a balaclava.

Miss Dookhran and the second victim were gagged and had their mouths, hands and feet bound with tape. They were then wrapped in dust sheets.

Arshid is said to have gathered clothes and other items belonging to the two women and put them in a suitcase – it is believed that he wanted to make it look like they were running away.

The victims were loaded into the back of his vehicle.

Arshid then drove the victims to an address on Coombe Lane West in Kingston, which he had been hired to carry out building work on and knew was empty.

Both women were raped by Arshid at the address and he inflicted a fatal slash wound on Celine’s neck. He then put her in a chest freezer he had installed at the property two days before on 17 July, and padlocked it shut.

The second victim also suffered a neck wound which was not fatal. She spoke to Arshid during the attacks and he stopped the violence.

She managed to get hold of a mobile phone whilst being held captive and tell her mother she had been kidnapped. She didn’t know where she had been taken, but was able to remember landmarks.

Seemingly coming to terms with what he had done, Arshid called a relative and they met. Seeing the injuries to the second victim, the relative got her out of Arshid’s car and took her to hospital. She would later recount what had happened.

Arshid first drove home where he spoke to his wife whilst gathering belongings and his passport. He then drove to New Malden and boarded a train to Kent. When he was arrested, Arshid was carrying a key to the padlock on the freezer and was found with purses belonging to the two victims.

A post-mortem examination carried out at Kingston Mortuary gave Celine’s cause of death as an incised wound to the neck.

Detective Chief Inspector Sam Price, led the investigation for the Homicide and Major Crime Command, she said: “This was a sexually motivated attack of unspeakable violence and horror which ended in one murder, with a second surviving victim suffering serious injuries and ongoing trauma.

“Throughout the trial, Arshid’s attempts to deflect blame from himself have been deplorable. I am glad the jury have seen through his lies and have convicted him of these horrific crimes.

“Celine’s family have been forced to sit through weeks of reliving their daughter’s last hours and they have done this with absolute dignity. Their distress has been compounded by the fact Arshid was someone they knew and trusted.

“I would like to pay tribute to them, and the surviving victim, who have shown great strength and courage during this investigation – this is in complete contrast to Arshid’s cowardice.”

A second man, Vincent Tappu, 28 (04.03.89) of Spencer Road, Ealing was found not guilty at the same trial of two counts of kidnap and one count of possession of a firearm.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Man who posted terrorist messages online is convicted