Category: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A police officer has been dismissed without notice for making racially discriminatory comments towards a colleague.

PC Luke Hunt, based within the North East Command Unit faced allegations at a misconduct hearing that his conduct amounted to breaches of the standards of professional behaviour, in respect of authority, respect and courtesy, discreditable conduct and equality and diversity.

The allegations related to an incident on 27 January 2022 when PC Hunt made racially discriminatory comments towards a colleague. This happened following a social event whilst PC Hunt was off-duty.

After hearing the evidence, the chair found PC Hunt had breached the standards of professional behaviour amounting to gross misconduct and he was dismissed at a hearing held from Monday, 6 November to Wednesday, 8 November.

Chief Superintendent Simon Crick, of the North East Command Unit, said: “We expect all of our officers to uphold our high standards of behaviour, when they are both on and off-duty. We have also made it very clear that there is no place for racism in the Met.

“We do not accept conduct of this nature which undermines confidence in our organisation and so it is only right that PC Hunt has been dismissed.”

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A third woman has been charged with showing support for a terrorist group as part of a Met investigation into activity at a central London protest last month.

Noimutu Olayinka Taiwo, 27 (11.04.96) of south London, was charged on Thursday, 9 November with an offence under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 (publication of images supporting a proscribed organisation).

The wording of the charge is as follows:

On 14 October, in a public place, namely Whitehall, carried or displayed an article, namely an image displaying a paraglider, in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that she is a supporter of a proscribed organisation, namely Hamas, contrary to section 13(1) Terrorism Act 2000.

She is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 10 November. The case is listed for 1430hrs, but media may wish to check with the court.

The investigation has been led by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.

As part of the same investigation, two women were charged on Friday, 3 November with the same offence.

They are Heba Alhayek, 29 (14.08.94), and Pauline Ankunda, 26 (19.06.97), both of south London, and all three will appear in court today as co-defendants.

Commander Dominic Murphy, of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command said: “On this case and others, officers are working tirelessly to investigate alleged offences linked to protest activity, and take action when there is evidence of criminality.

“We will continue to working with the Crown Prosecution Service to bring charges against people suspected of committing offences that encourage hate, and are harmful to communities.”

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Officers are appealing for the public’s help to find a man from Kensington who has been missing for a week.

Steven Carolan was last seen getting off a bus near to Putney Bridge at approximately 18:50hrs on Friday, 3 November.

The 33-year-old was last known to be wearing black clothing and black trainers with white soles.

Steven is known to have boarded a route 28 bus at 17:28hrs from West Kensington Station towards Wandsworth.

He has then taken a route 220 bus from Mapleton Crescent in Wandsworth, outside Southside Shopping Centre at 18:35hrs, before disembarking at Putney Bridge at 18:50.

Officers are growing increasingly concerned for Steven’s welfare as he suffers from epilepsy and isn’t thought to have access to his medication.

Steven’s parents are also concerned about him. His mother, Sandra Carolan, said: “Steven, you’re not in any trouble. Your Mum and Dad want to help, we can help you and we love you very much.”

Detective Inspector Fiona Van Kampen, a from the missing persons team, said: “We have carried out a number of enquiries to try and find Steven and we are appealing for anyone who may have seen him last Friday, or in the week since, to contact us.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 2483/04Nov. Report immediate sightings by calling 999.

You can also contact the Missing People charity by calling 116 000. This service is free and confidential.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a woman was seriously injured in a collision in Blackheath.

Police were called at 07:25hrs on Wednesday, 8 November to reports of a collision involving a lorry and a pedestrian on A2 Shooters Hill Road, near the junction with Duke Humphrey Road.

Officers attended along with paramedics from the London Ambulance Service.

The pedestrian, a 25-year-old woman, was taken to hospital where she remains in a life-threatening condition. Her family have been informed and continue to be supported by officers.

The driver of the lorry stopped at the scene. There have been no arrests.

Detectives from the Met’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit area appealing for any witnesses or drivers with dash cam footage to come forward.

Anyone who can assist the investigation is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 1075/08Nov.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Two men have been jailed for life for the brutal murder of Ricardo Fuller in Redbridge as work continues to bring two other men to justice.

Emanuel Tamwesegire, 31 (29.12.91) of Wyemead Crescent, Chingford, E4 and Edmund Tucker, 32 (25.09.91) of Vincent Road, Dagenham were sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years following a hearing at the Old Bailey on Thursday, 9 November.

The two men were part of a gang of five who were involved in the killing of 24-year-old Ricardo Fuller in Ilford.

Following the sentencing, Ricardo’s family said:

Ricardo’s mother said: “Through your selfish actions, this has caused, not only myself and my family, but also my friends and a whole community severe emotional and endless heartache – we have all felt from the loss of my son.

“Did you ever stop to think that this is somebody’s son? Did you ever stop to think this is someone’s brother, nephew, cousin, grandson and friend? Ricardo was such a kind warm hearted soul. I wish to thank the Jury, barrister, police team and the Judge for bringing justice for Ricardo.

“The 7th March 2020 is a date we will never forget.”

A third man, Jarmaine Ahenkorah, 30 (29.03.93) of Cumberland Road, Plaistow, E13 was convicted of manslaughter at the same trial and will be sentenced on 22 November at the same court.

All five of the gang left the country before officers could arrest them and investigators worked closely with the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Interpol to locate them.

Two other men, Ahmed Sesay and Abubaker Tarawally, who were 27 and 22 at the time of the killing, fled abroad and are currently wanted in connection with Mr Fuller’s murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Allen, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “The sentence handed down to Tamwesegire and Tucker reflects the seriousness of this offence. This was a horrendous crime with Ricardo being ruthlessly pursued prior to being fatally stabbed.

“Two suspects for Mr Fuller’s murder remain at large. Both have fled abroad but my team are working tirelessly, with support from Interpol and the NCA, to find these men and bring them back to the UK.

“In such cases, we really need information from the public. We know that these men will still be in contact with family and friends in the UK. There are people in the very community where Ricardo was killed who will know where those responsible are hiding.

“They cannot hide forever and I would urge anyone with information, however insignificant they think it may be, to get in touch with us. Anyone with any information about the location of the two outstanding suspects is asked to call the incident room on 020 8345 1570, please quote Operation Sandside.”

Alternatively, information can be given to , anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

The court heard how there was a longstanding animosity between Mr Fuller and at least one of the group.

On Saturday, 7 March, Sesay, the three defendants and Abubaker Tarawally, made their way in two cars to Discoteca No Problem, 333 Ilford High Road, Ilford.

Mr Fuller was inside the club attending a friend’s birthday party.

The five men went into the club and confronted Mr Fuller on the dance floor. The staff asked the five men to leave and they walked out, they had only been in the club five minutes.

The group stayed near the club and a short while later Mr Fuller left the club and was confronted by the group in the middle of the road.

A chase then began with Mr Fuller being pursued up and down the road as he tried to evade his attackers.

CCTV recorded his pursuers striking out and lunging at Mr Fuller, during the course of the pursuit Mr Fuller was stabbed three times. Two stab wounds were to his back, but the third wound was to his neck and it severed the artery in his neck.

The gang fled the scene and Mr Fuller was able to make his way back to the club where he collapsed on the dance floor. Despite the efforts of paramedics and hospital staff, he died later that morning.

An immediate investigation began led by homicide detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.

Officers spoke to witnesses, and reviewed hours of CCTV in order to identify those who had carried out the killing.

The cars the gang had used were forensically examined and Mr Fuller’s blood found on a door recess and Tarwally’s DNA found on items in the same car.

However, when they identified the five suspects, inquiries found they had already left the country.

In April 2020, the Crown Prosecution Service authorised murder charges against the five men in their absence.

Three of the suspects eventually returned to the United Kingdom.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Detectives investigating the disappearance of Justin Henry have found a body.

Officers located a Red Nissan Almera car on the evening of Monday, 6 November parked near Nicholas Court in Dale Road, Purley.

In order to preserve possible evidence, the car was treated as a crime scene. This was forensically examined and a body recovered from the boot of the vehicle the next day.

A post-mortem examination took place today (9 November) – no formal cause of death was established and further tests will be carried out. Officers are working to carry out a formal identification.

Mr Henry’s family have been kept informed of the developments.

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Webb, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “Due to the need to preserve forensic evidence, officers conducted a careful and methodical examination of the scene. However, on Tuesday, we confirmed that a body was in the car and we spoke to Justin’s family later that day. We are waiting to formally confirm the identity of the body.

“My heart goes out to his family who have suffered weeks of anxiously waiting for news. Justin’s family are understandably very upset and we would ask media to respect their privacy at this very difficult time.

“While we have charged two people with Justin’s murder, we would still like anyone who has any information of the red Nissan’s movements in the days following Justin’s disappearance to call police – we still need and ask for the public’s help.”

Justin, 34, was reported missing to police on Monday, 16 October. His family have not heard from him since that date. He has links to the SE23/Forest Hill area

Work continues to establish Justin’s movements, in particular late on Sunday, 15 October, and in the early hours of Monday, 16 October.

Justin was last seen in person on the evening of Sunday, 15 October at his partner’s address in Brixton. At around 21:50hrs on Sunday, 15 October, Justin was seen on CCTV buying food at a McDonald’s drive-thru restaurant on London Road in Croydon.

Enquiries have led officers to believe Justin drove from that restaurant to nearby Waddon New Road where his vehicle, a silver Mercedes E Class, remained for approximately two-and-a-half hours.

The Mercedes was later located on Monday, 16 October in Kingswood Drive, SE19.

It is unclear who was driving the vehicle when it arrived at Kingswood Drive shortly before 01:00hrs on Monday, 16 October, due to indistinct CCTV image of the driver, but Justin’s family state that it was not him.

Officers have conducted forensic examinations of an address in Croydon and Justin’s car, as well as extensive CCTV and phone inquiries.

A 29-year-old man [B] and a 28-year-old man [C] have been charged in connection with the investigation.

On Wednesday, 18 October, a 27-year-old woman [A] was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping; she has since been bailed pending further enquiries to a date in mid-January 2024.

Detectives still appealing for anyone who can assist police to come forward. Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter/X @MetCC. Please quote Operation Ashgulf or CAD1523/02NOV.

You can also give information on Public Portal (mipp.police.uk)

To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Officers working as part of the Met’s response to the conflict between Israel and Hamas have secured charges against three people for offences linked to protests or incidents of hate crime.

The charges follow investigations led by detectives from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command and the Public Order Crime Team.

Urslaan Khan, 41 (06.03.82) of east London, has been charged with the following offence:

“On 17 October 2023 at Whitehall, London SW1 expressed an opinion or belief that was supportive of a proscribed organisation, namely the organisation known as Hamas, and in doing so was reckless as to whether a person to whom the expression was directed would be encouraged to support a proscribed organisation (contrary to S12(1A) Terrorism Act 2000).”

Khan is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 17 November.

Mohammed Elle, 23 (16.05.00) of Ulster Place, Westminster was charged with assaulting an emergency worker and possession of cannabis.

He was also charged with failing to comply with a direction to disperse after a dispersal order was put in place and failing to remove a face covering when required.

Elle was arrested on Saturday, 4 November after fireworks were fired at police officers who were trying to disperse a large group of protesters.

He is currently on bail and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 23 November.

Jorge Silva, 58 (10.03.65) of Amhurst Park, Hackney has been charged with using threatening and abusive behaviour intended to cause racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress.

The charge relates to an incident in Hackney on Saturday, 14 October where Silva is alleged to have made anti-Semitic comments.

Silva was bailed to appear at Stratford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 29 November.

In addition to the charges set out above, officers have arrested a woman in connection with an investigation into alleged terrorism offences at a protest in Whitehall on Saturday, 14 October where a group were seen displaying images of paragliders.

On the evening of Wednesday, 8 November, officers from the Counter Terrorism Command arrested a 27-year-old woman from south London on suspicion of inviting support for a proscribed organisation, contrary to section 12(1)(a) of the Terrorism Act 2000.

She remains in custody at a west London police station.

Two women were previously arrested and charged with inviting support for a proscribed organisation as part of the same investigation.

They are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 10 November.

Chief Superintendent Joseph McDonald said: “Officers from across the Met continue to work to identify and secure charges against anyone believed to have committed offences during protests or in the community.

“We continue to receive reports about potential offences, committed both in the real world and online, and we are grateful for the public for their ongoing assistance.

“We would urge anyone who has information about suspicious activity or actions that they believe may constitute an offence to get in touch. Every report is reviewed, and we will act where offences are identified.”

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man who sexually exploited three teenage girls has been jailed after Met detectives carried out an investigation into historic offences.

Met detectives worked diligently and sensitively to secure the conviction of Benjamin Agyemang after one victim-survivor came forward to police a decade after she had endured the abuse.

Benjamin Agyemang, 45 (4.11.78) of Marlborough Grove, Southwark was sentenced to 13 and a half years’ imprisonment at Inner London Crown Court on Thursday, 9 November.

He was found guilty on Wednesday, 27 September of one count of attempting to procure a girl under the age of 21 to have unlawful sexual intercourse, two counts of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence and four counts of sexual activity with a child.

Detectives spent two years investigating the case which covered a period of 20 years and uncovered further victim-survivors.

The court heard how Agyemang targeted the girls who were all between 14 and 16-years-old at the time of the offences. They knew Agyemang as ‘Marshay’ who lured them by offering them modelling work and then taking them back to his flat in the Elephant and Castle to sexually exploit them.

Detective Constable Kate Orr, from the Met’s Specialist Crime team, who carried out the investigation, said:

“I would like to commend the courage and strength of these women and I hope today’s outcome provides them with some degree of closure.

“Sexual predators like Agyemang who groom girls are often able to escape justice for years due to the fear and shame they instil in their victims. It’s not uncommon for it to take many years before victim-survivors feel able to report offences to police. The fact offences may have taken place a long time ago does not make investigating them any less of a priority.

“I hope this investigation will encourage victims of sexual offending to come forward to police. We have specially trained officers who will listen carefully to allegations and investigate them thoroughly, with a view to getting justice for victim-survivors and protecting future victims.”

In 2021 a woman reported offences of sexual assault and exploitation which took place in 2008 when she was 14-years-old. She was approached on the street by Agyemang, under the name ‘Marshay Ramone’, who told her he could get her into modelling for music videos. She began staying at his flat for weeks at a time, manipulated and unable to leave, where she would be sexually abused by Agyemang and multiple paying ‘clients’ a day.

During this time she witnessed him sexually exploiting other girls and young women, she realised how damaging her situation was and in 2012 she was able to escape the abuse.

Agyemang was arrested following the report and it became clear to officers he may have committed further offences so they set out to identify other victims.

A school friend of the first victim-survivor was identified and contacted by officers. It was uncovered that as a 15-year-old she had gone to Agyemang’s flat on two occasions where she was sexually abused by a ‘client’.

Through careful investigation, a further victim-survivor was identified.  She described how at the age of 16 she had attended Agyemang’s flat on the promise he could make her a model. He took her to a bar and introduced her to an older wealthy man who he suggested was important in the modelling business. This was a lie, instead Agyemang had “sold” her as an escort without her knowledge. She was taken to the man’s house and seriously sexually assaulted.

In June 2022 Agyemang was further arrested and charged with offences against all three victim-survivors.

Everyone has the right to feel safe in London and officers and staff continue to work every day with communities and our partners to make London safer so everyone can go about their daily lives without fear.

If you have been a victim of sexual assault or rape or you have information about an offender, contact police on 101 or 999 in an emergency – there are specially trained officers who will listen and investigate where needed.

Further information, including details of agencies and charities that can offer support can be found on our website.

As part of A New Met for London plan, the Met is doing more to build trust and support our London’s communities with issues that impact them the most. The Met is putting more people and focus into the team’s protecting women and children from violence and going after predatory men who commit those crimes. To read more about our plans to tackle violence against women and girls read A New Met for London.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

An officer is to face a misconduct hearing after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a colleague.

Detective Constable Justin Gilmore, aged 52 and attached to Met Operations, was convicted at Inner London Crown Court on Wednesday, 8 November following an investigation by officers at Central South Command Unit.

He remains suspended from duty.

Commander Ben Russell said: “This is an allegation from eight years ago but no less serious with the passage of time, and we are extremely grateful to the victim for coming forward to enable us to bring DC Gilmore before the courts. She has been incredibly brave and we would urge anyone in a similar situation to come forward so we can help, support and investigate.

“This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable and we are committed to ridding the Met of those who should not be here.

“DC Gilmore will now face a gross misconduct hearing as soon as possible.”

DC Gilmore was charged on 14 December 2022 with sexual assault on a female colleague while the pair were off-duty at a social event in Southwark on 22 July 2015. DC Gilmore was based at Southwark police station at the time.

The matter was reported to police on 6 January 2022 and DC Gilmore interviewed under caution before later being charged and suspended from duty.

He was found guilty by a majority verdict and sentenced by the court to a £1,000 fine and £1,500 costs.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a police officer was injured in north-east London.

Officers had attempted to stop a car seen travelling on cloned plates in Gants Hill at around 01:40hrs on Thursday, 9 November.

The car failed to stop and was pursued by officers along the A12 before being stopped near New Spitalfields Market.

One of the officers went towards the car to attempt to detain the driver when the driver reversed into him.

The officer was taken to hospital with leg injuries. Thankfully, his injuries were assessed as not life-threatening or life-changing.

The driver of the car, a 27-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and taken into custody.

He was also arrested on suspicion of failing to stop, aggravated vehicle taking, driving while unfit through drink or drugs and possession with intent to supply drugs.

Two other men aged 21 and 22, who were passengers in the car, were also arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs.

Drugs were recovered from the car and were also recovered by a drugs dog following the pursuit of the car.

Chief Superintendent Simon Crick, local policing commander for north-east London, said: “Every day officers across the Met go out and put themselves in danger to keep the people of London safe. Nobody should expect to be assaulted at work and we will always take action against those who commit such offences.

“Whilst I’m pleased the officer is going to be okay, it could have been so much worse, and we will do all we can to support him as he recovers from this awful incident.”

+ Four other officers were also injured on-duty in London on Wednesday:

Two officers were treated at hospital after being injured by a woman who was later detained under the Mental Health Act in Hammersmith.

Another two officers also required hospital treatment after being assaulted in Marylebone by a man who was wanted in connection with a robbery.

He was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker, robbery and possession with intent to supply drugs.