Category: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Two convicted following assault of asylum seeker

Two people have been found guilty of their involvement in the violent and unprovoked assault of an Iranian asylum seeker.

The pair were part of a second trial which concluded at Croydon Crown Court on Thursday, 1 February.

George Jeffrey, 21 (7.09.96) of Uvedale Close, Croydon and Ben Harman, 21 (13.05.96) of Akabusi Close, Croydon were both found guilty of two counts of violent disorder following a three-week trial.

The first trial, in Autumn 2017, saw a further three individuals convicted for their part in the attack – which left the 17-year-old victim with such significant injuries that he continues to recover. In addition, a further two individuals pleaded guilty to offences.

On 9 November 2017, three men were each convicted of two counts of violent disorder following a six-week trial:

– A then 17-year-old boy from Croydon;
– George Walder, 21 (7.09.96) of Myrtle Road, Croydon;
– Liam Neylon, now 20 (7.12.97) of Ferris Avenue, Croydon.

James Neves, 23 (3.09.94), of no fixed address, previously pleaded guilty on 18 August 2017 to one count of violent disorder; and a then 17-year-old girl from Croydon pleaded guilty on 8 December 2017 to one count of affray.

All seven defendants will be sentenced at the same court on Friday, 2 March.

Detective Superintendent Jane Corrigan, from Croydon Borough, said: “This was a truly disgraceful and brutal assault on a young man who was simply out enjoying his night. The victim’s friends who witnessed the incident said they thought the suspects were going to kill their friend. Having seriously assaulted him, they were compelled to go back and attack him further. 

“The injuries he suffered were so significant that he is now experiencing long-lasting trauma as a result. I hope some solace can be taken in the fact that my officers have worked diligently in bringing the offenders to justice; and today’s result is a testament to their hard work and determination to hold those responsible to account.”

Police were called at around 23.40hrs on 31 March 2017 to reports of a group of youths attacking a male on Shrublands Avenue in Croydon. 

Officers attended along with the London Ambulance Service and discovered the victim suffering from serious injuries. 

The court heard how the victim and his two friends were walking along Shrublands Avenue to a nearby bus stop, with the intention of travelling into Croydon town centre for a night out. Passing by a pub, a group of individuals standing outside asked them where they were from. After telling the group they were from Iran and Iraq, they continued on.

But George Walder followed them, and unexpectedly punched the victim in the face. A white Vauxhall Corsa then pulled up and the driver – Ben Harman – and passenger – George Jeffrey – both got out and ran at the three victims. Walder chased them across the roundabout to a nearby bus stop where the victim was repeatedly kicked and punched. His two friends ran off down Bridle Road and into a garden. They then returned and began to throw stones at the suspects in an effort to stop them. They were chased by members of the group, but were luckily able to escape. 

As the incident died down, the victim found the opportunity to get up and run away. But he was chased along Shrublands Avenue, caught, and thrown to the ground where the attack continued. 

Eventually the assault on the victim came to an end, and he was left lying prone in the street. When officers arrived at the scene, all the suspects had fled. 

The victim was taken to Kings College Hospital with severe injuries, including a fractured spine, fractured eye socket and a bleed to the brain. So serious were his injuries that doctors initially believed he may die. He was put into an induced coma and remained in hospital for a number of days.

CCTV footage of the incident was vital in the investigation, enabling officers to identify the suspects. Various cameras recorded the suspects at different points; and following painstaking efforts, officers were able to piece together the events of that night.

In total 17 individuals were arrested in connection with the investigation, of which 14 were subsequently charged.

The case of a 16-year-old who was accused of violent disorder was discontinued prior to trial.

The following individuals were acquitted:

Trial 1: Daryl Davis, 21, of Laurel Crescent, Croydon; Danyelle Davis, 24, of Laurel Crescent, Croydon; and, Kyran Evans, 24, of Shrublands Avenue, Croydon.

Trial 2: Barry Potts, 21, of Fir Tree Gardens, Croydon; Jack Walder, 24, of Myrtle Road, Croydon; and, Ellie Leite, 19, of Shrublands Avenue, Croydon.
A charge of theft against Walder resulted in a hung jury.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Man jailed for over three years for wounding his partner during an argument

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: A man has been convicted of murder and attempted murder

Darren Osborne has been convicted of murder and attempted murder after he carried out an attack in Finsbury Park on 19 June 2017, which killed one man and injured several others.

Following a nine-day trial at Woolwich Crown Court, Osborne, 48 (30.11.69) of Cardiff, was found guilty on Thursday, 1 February of the murder of 51-year-old Makram Ali and the attempted murder of several others.
The Judge will now consider whether the offences were committed with a terrorist connection – as defined by section 30 of the Terrorism Act 2008 – ahead of Osborne’s sentencing, which will take place tomorrow, Friday, 2 February.

Commander Dean Haydon, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Osborne’s evil and cowardly actions meant a family has tragically lost a husband, father and grandfather. There were also 12 others, who, having gone to Mr Ali’s aid, sustained various injuries from the collision. Some of those injured have still not fully recovered and could suffer from health issues for the rest of their lives.

“I would like to pay tribute to Mr Ali’s family and the local community in Finsbury Park, for their tremendous support and understanding with our investigation during what must have been an extremely difficult time for them.

“From the very outset, this investigation has had the full weight of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command behind it and I hope today’s outcome means those affected can start to think about putting this terrible ordeal behind them.”

At 00:16hrs on 19 June 2017, Osborne drove a hired Citroen Luton van into a group of people who were gathered on Seven Sisters Road near to the junction with Whadcoat Street. The group were attending Makram Ali, who, moments earlier, had collapsed on the ground, having just left a prayer meeting at the nearby Muslim Welfare House.

Osborne, heading northbound on Seven Sisters Road, swerved into the group hitting a number of people, including Mr Ali, who was still laying on the ground. Mr Ali sustained multiple injuries from the collision and died as result of these injuries. Fifteen others were also injured in the attack, with several suffering serious fractures including leg, arm, skull and pelvic fractures.

Following the collision, Osborne crashed his vehicle into bollards in Whadcoat Street and he was detained by members of the public as he attempted to flee from the scene, before police arrived a short while later, and arrested him.

On his arrest, officers found various items in the van, including a hand-written note from Osborne containing a monologue of his extremist views.

An investigation was immediately launched by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command and Osborne was charged four days later on 23 June 2017.

During the course of their investigation, officers found that Osborne hired the van from a vehicle hire company in Pontyclun, Wales on the morning of 17 June 2017. Later that day, he attended a pub in Cardiff, where he was seen on the CCTV footage writing the letter that was found in the van after the attack.

Through their enquiries officers believe that Osborne drove from Cardiff to London on 18 June 2017 with the intention of targeting the ‘Al Quds’ march, where he thought a large number of Muslim people would be present.

However, after arriving in London, Osborne was unable to access the march route with his vehicle. Officers managed to track down a taxi driver who confirmed that Osborne had asked him for directions to Grosvenor Square – the location of the end of the march – but that he’d told him it was closed off to traffic.

At this point, it is believed that Osborne decided to change his plans and after driving to south London, where he asked for directions to mosques, he eventually ended up in Finsbury Park. Just before midnight, Osborne is seen to arrive in Finsbury Park, where he initially parks up and then carries out what is effectively reconnaissance of the local area, before returning to his van. Approximately 20 minutes later, at 00:16hrs, he carried out the attack.

Commander Dean Haydon, said: “From our investigation, it was clear that Osborne had planned to come to London with the intention of carrying out an attack against the Muslim community.

“Only he will know, but if Osborne’s aim was to create divisions and hate between communities, then from what I have seen, he has failed in that respect. The way that the local community in Finsbury Park – of all faiths and backgrounds – came together was astounding and this reaction was the same across London and the UK.

“I must also praise those who initially detained Osborne immediately after the attack – in particular the local Imam, who ensured that Osborne didn’t come to any significant harm whilst waiting for officers to arrive at the scene. Again, this response and the overwhelmingly positive reaction my officers and teams have witnessed since, just further highlights how far from reality Osborne’s sick and twisted views really are.”

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Man jailed for hammer attack

A man who brutally assaulted another man with a hammer following a petty argument between two groups has been jailed for nine years.

Kwakou Bekoe, 32 (23.12.85), of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court on Monday, 29 January having pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to possession of an offensive weapon and grievous bodily harm.

Police made a ‘dangerousness application’ which was accepted by the court and Bekoe was deemed as a danger to the public, receiving an extension of two years’ imprisonment to his sentence.

The court heard that on 28 June 2017, at around 16:00hrs, the victim, a 26-year-old man, was standing with a group of associates outside the rear of the Seven Sisters Indoor Market, N15.

Bekoe and a group of his own associates then entered the area from inside the market, where they became involved in a verbal dispute with the group the victim was with.

As the situation escalated, one of Bekoe’s associates went to the victim’s moped and picked up a pole, which the victim used for work as a window cleaner.

As the victim attempted to stop him, Bekoe approached from behind. He took out a hammer from his waistband, which had a plastic covering over the head, and began to strike the victim on the back of the leg.

As the victim fell forward, Bekoe continued the attack, striking him on the body and the back of his head. The victim fell to the floor but even then Bekoe continued his assault, striking him with full force, 10 times in 10 seconds, before calmly walking away from the scene with the group he had arrived with.

The victim was taken to a north London hospital where he received stitches to the back of his head and treatment to cuts and bruises on his legs and shoulders. Were it not for the biker clothing the victim was wearing, his injuries would have been much worse.

At about 21:30hrs the same evening, an officer standing at the crime scene was approached by a man who informed him that one of the suspects was inside a nearby fast food restaurant on West Green Road, N15.

Officers went to the premise and Bekoe was subsequently arrested. During his interview Bekoe answered ‘no comment’ to all questions.

He was charged on 29 June 2017 with possession of an offensive weapon and grievous bodily harm and he was remanded in custody.

CCTV footage of the incident captured Bekoe launching his sustained attack. Witnesses claimed that afterwards he had walked away laughing.

It is thought the plastic covering on the hammer was used in an attempt to hamper any forensic evidence.

Detective Constable Rob Buckley, the investigating officer from Haringey CID, said: “This assault was as unnecessary as it was shocking. Bekoe attacked his victim, who was not even involved in the petty argument between the groups, and delivered an assault so ferocious it could just as easily have been fatal.

“His imprisonment will hopefully give him plenty of time to reflect on the needlessness of his actions, and also allow the victim some small comfort as he moves on with his life.”

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Dual week of action targets dangerous drivers in the Capital

A crackdown on dangerous driving jointly carried out by the Metropolitan Police Service and Transport for London (TfL) has resulted in more than 1,500 offenders being caught for traffic offences, including driving while on a mobile phone.

London’s dangerous drivers were targeted last week by the Met in partnership with TfL, in a joint week of action which resulted in 25 arrests.

From Monday 22, to Sunday 28, January, officers from the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command (RTPC) were involved in an enforcement and education operation – Operation Safeway – to reduce road danger in the Capital.

As part of the operation, traffic officers were also engaged in the National Police Chiefs’ Council Mobile Phone Week of Action, which tackled motorists who were driving while making calls, texting and recording videos illegally from mobile phones when they should be paying attention to the road.

They also patrolled in an unmarked HGV cab, which gave them an elevated position, making it easier to spot motorists driving while using a phone. The cab was also fitted with cameras to evidentially film non-compliant drivers.

The 25 arrests included five people for drink or drug driving offences. Other arrests made included disqualified driving, assault, drugs and immigration offences.

Over 1,500 traffic-related offences were recorded throughout the week, with 636 drivers caught using mobile phones, an offence which can be subject to a £200 fine and six points on the offender’s licence.

Research has found that people using a mobile phone while driving are four times more likely to be involved in a collision, which could have tragic consequences. Another study found drivers texting at the wheel were 23 times more likely to be involved in a collision compared to a driver paying full attention.

Commander Neil Jerome, of the Territorial Policing Command, said: “The Met is working hard to reduce collisions and the number of people killed or seriously injured on London’s roads.

“Throughout our week of action, traffic officers made several arrests and issued a substantial amount of fines against non-compliant motorists who unlawfully used hand-held mobile devices while driving, or committed other road offences which posed a very real danger to themselves, other drivers and pedestrians.

“This operation was about reminding all road users of the importance of keeping themselves safe while driving. I hope our policing activity achieved just that and motorists can certainly expect to see us carrying out similar operations throughout the year to ensure they are concentrating on safe driving.”

Siwan Hayward, Head of Transport Policing at TfL, said: “We want to send out the clear message that if you drive in London and flout the rules, you will be caught. We want London’s streets to feel safe for everyone and will continue to crack down on dangerous drivers. The Mayor has set out a clear ambition in adopting Vison Zero that TfL, the police, boroughs and the community must work together to create a road network which is free from death or seriously injury. This week of action shows what we can do together and is the start of a major shift.”

The RTPC works to ensure all journeys across the road and surface transport network are safe, secure and reliable, in line with TfL’s Vision Zero commitment. Their priorities are reducing road collisions by targeting dangerous road users and managing traffic flow around incidents on the London road network; investigating the most serious collisions; carrying out cycle safety events; responding to collisions and breakdowns at tunnels and targeting the operators and drivers of freight and construction vehicles who create danger to road users and pedestrians on London’s roads.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Appeal to trace man wanted for distraction burglary

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Police seek Steven Graham on recall to prison

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Police Officer dismissed for gross misconduct

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Victim named – HMP Wormwood Scrubs murder

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Murder investigation launched after inmate fatally stabbed in Wormwood Scrubs