Appeal to trace woman missing from Islington

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Appeal to trace woman missing from Islington

Police in the Central North Missing Persons Unit are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of a missing 26-year-old woman.

Amy Nevin was last seen at 16:00 hours on 29 January in central London.

She is known to frequent the north London area, but is originally from the Manchester.

Amy is a light-skinned afro Caribbean female, of slim build with dark curly shoulder length hair.

Officers are increasingly concerned for her wellbeing and would urge anyone with information on his whereabouts to call police on 101 or Missing People on 116000

Three charged following murder of inmate at HMP Wormwood Scrubs

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Three charged following murder of inmate at HMP Wormwood Scrubs

Three men have been charged with murder, following the fatal stabbing of 25-year-old Khader Saleh at HMP Wormwood Scrubs, on Wednesday, 31 January.

The three charged appeared at Willesden Magistrates court on Friday 1, February and are due to appear at the Central Criminal Court on Tuesday 6, February.

They are:

– Ahmed Khyre, 21, (24.03.96)

– Kalif Dibbassey, 21 (27.01.97)

– Enton Marku, 20 (30.01.98)

A 23-year-old man [D] arrested on suspicion of murder has been released under investigation.

All four are prisoners at HMP Wormwood Scrubs.

Man charged with four further counts of sexual assault

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Man charged with four further counts of sexual assault

Detectives investigating a series of sexual assaults in South London have charged a man with a further four further counts of sexual assault.

Kevin Bond, 51 (22.07.66) of Ingleby Way, Chislehurst was charged on Tuesday, 30 January with two counts of sexual assault and appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 31 January.

He has today, Sunday, 3 February been charged with a further four counts of sexual assault and will appear at the same court this morning.

Appeal following distraction burglary in Enfield

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Appeal following distraction burglary in Enfield

Police are appealing for witnesses after three men, who pretended to be builders, carried out a burglary at a house in north London.

At around 16:40hrs on Wednesday, 10 January, a woman – aged in her 70s – answered the door to two men who stated that they were at the house on Ravenscraig Road, N11 to check the kitchen sink and all of the radiators in the property.

The woman asked for identification and was shown a card that contained a photo of the suspect.

The victim’s daughter also came to the door to check the identification.

The two suspects entered the house and begin asking if anyone else was at home or if anyone else lived at the property.

The younger woman heard a noise from upstairs and went to the bottom of the stairs where she was confronted by a third man. She tried to leave the house via the front door, but was pulled back into the kitchen.

Her mother was also pushed back into the kitchen as she tried to escape.

One of the men then pulled out a screwdriver and threatened the two women with it. The men then continued to search the house for property before stealing items of jewellery.

After a few minutes, the younger woman was able to get to the front door and scream for help. The three men ran from the house before driving off in car towards Brookside.

All of the men are described as white and in their late 20s to early 30s.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Enfield CID via 101 quoting reference 5073/10Jan.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or you can tweet @MetCC with any information.

Man jailed for manslaughter after killing his fiancée

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Man jailed for manslaughter after killing his fiancée

A man who calmly called police to tell them he had just killed his fiancée has been jailed for manslaughter.

Arben Rexha, 33, (03.02.84) of Jessop Court, N1 was sentenced today, Friday, 2 February to 10 years’ imprisonment.

On Friday, 8 September Rexha pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 25-year-old Elidona Demirai on the basis of diminished responsibility at the Old Bailey. His sentencing was delayed for a psychiatric assessment to be made.

Police were called at around 23:50hrs on Sunday 31 January 2016 by Rexha who claimed to have killed his partner at an address in Jessop Court, N1.

Officers attended and found Rexha with his arms outstretched and hands together ready to be arrested and handcuffed.

Elidona was found inside the property with multiple stab wounds to the throat.

Officers administered first aid until the arrival of the London Ambulance Service. London’s Air Ambulance also attended but Elidona was pronounced dead at the scene a short while later.

Her family was informed and a post mortem examination held on 2 February 2016 gave the cause of death as multiple stab wounds.

Elidona had only been in the UK for three months before she was killed, coming from Albania to live with Rexha in Islington.

The court heard how neighbours and friends had heard arguments between the pair escalate in the weeks prior to the murder.

Rexha, who was arrested on the day of the attack, admitted killing his fiancée when questioned and repeatedly banged his head on the table at the end of the interview. He accepted that he did not act in self-defence but claimed to have been suffering from mental health issues in the days leading up to the fatal attack. Rexha pleaded guilty to manslaughter by means of diminished responsibility.

Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command conducted the investigation.

DI Paul Considine who led the investigation said: “This was a senseless death of a defenceless young woman who had her whole life in front of her; she had only recently arrived in the UK seeking a better life.

“Our thoughts are with her family and friends who have had to deal with this terrible loss.”

Man found guilty of Brixton murder

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Man found guilty of Brixton murder

A man has been convicted of murder after a brutal stabbing in Brixton.

Alando Bolt, 45 (17.06.72) of Adelaide Close, Lambeth was found guilty of murder and possession of an offensive weapon on Friday, 2 February at the Old Bailey.

He had stabbed his victim, 30-year-old Andrew Thompson, eleven times, during an attack in broad daylight in Atlantic Road, Brixton, SW9.

At about 12:50hrs on Friday, 18 August Bolt and Thompson had met in the street. They were seen to be talking, when Bolt suddenly launched an attack with a knife.

Mr Thompson was not armed with any weapons and did not strike Bolt at all; but he was still repeatedly stabbed by Bolt, who then ran from the scene.

Police and London Ambulance Service were called, but Mr Thompson had suffered a series of serious injuries and his life could not be saved.

He was pronounced dead at 14.08hrs the same afternoon, less than 90 minutes after the stabbing.

The post-mortem examination found the victim had received eleven knife wounds.

The fatal wound was a stab wound to the chest which pierced his heart. There was also a serious wound to the victim’s head and a defensive wound to the victim’s arm.

Following the incident an investigation was launched by officers from the Homicide and Major Crime Command (HMCC).

Bolt was quickly identified as a suspect and he was arrested at 22:30hrs that same day, at an address in Streatham High Road.

Clothing similar to that worn by the attacker was recovered and it was noted that Bolt had a recent cut to his right hand.

After his arrest Bolt was interviewed and made no comment. He was charged with murder on Sunday, 20 August.

However in the run up to his trial Bolt admitted that he killed Mr Thompson.

His case was that there had been some previous dispute and when they bumped into each other they had argued. Bolt stated that he believed he was going to be attacked, so he stabbed Mr Thompson in self-defence.

This justification was rejected by the jury, who found him guilty of murder.

Bolt will be sentenced on Monday, 12 March at the same court.

DI Garry Moncrieff of the HMCC, said: “It is incredible that a trivial dispute could apparently lead to murder and so much despair. Bolt deliberately armed himself with a knife and then carried out an unprovoked, vicious, and protracted assault. This attack was in broad daylight and in a busy street.

“I do not doubt that this day will haunt those who saw what happened and I am glad the jury has seen through Bolt’s spurious claim of self defence.

“I hope this conviction will now bring some comfort to Mr Thompson’s family and friends.”

Croydon man jailed for rape

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Croydon man jailed for rape

A man has been jailed for 17 years for rape.

Darrel Rose, 31, (6.7.86) of King Henry’s Drive, New Addington was found guilty on 31 July 2017 at Croydon Crown Court of two counts of rape, one count of assault by penetration and two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm.

He was sentenced on Friday, 2 February, to a total of 17 years’ imprisonment.

The victim was a woman who had been known to Rose for more than ten years.

On 25 March 2017, police were called to a newsagent in Hackbridge by a female victim who stated that she had been raped at a house nearby. The victim had only been able to make her escape, wearing her dressing gown and slippers, after Rose had fallen asleep.

DC Ellen Jones of the Met’s Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command said:

“The victim in this case has shown great bravery and courage in standing up to Rose and ensuring that he is made to answer for his actions.

“I would like to praise the strength and commitment she has shown throughout this case.”

Teenagers jailed for manslaughter

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Teenagers jailed for manslaughter

Two teenagers who stabbed a man to death in an unprovoked attack have been jailed.

Felou Abadja, 19 (22.02.98), of Pinnell Road, SE9, and Dval Doh, 16 (18.08.01) of Floyd Road, SE7 were sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday 2 February.

Abadja was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment with an extended licence of four years. Doh was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment with an extended licence of four years.

They were both found guilty of manslaughter and possession of an offensive weapon at the Old Bailey on 21 December 2017 following a trial.

Abadja previously pleaded guilty to possession of a Class A drug (cocaine). Doh had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a knife and possession of a Class A drug (heroin).

On 13 June 2017, police were called by the London Ambulance Service at about 17:45hrs to reports of a man stabbed behind Phipps House, off Woolwich Road, SE7.

Officers and London’s Air Ambulance attended and found 30-year-old Adam Chambers injured. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 18:27hrs.

A post-mortem examination held the following day gave cause of death as a stab wound to the chest.

The court heard that on the afternoon of 13 June, Abadja, Doh and a 15-year-old girl were at an address in Lee High Road, recording rap music.

At about 17:00hrs, Abadja called a taxi and asked to be taken to Troughton Road – which is very close to where Adam was fatally stabbed.

The three got in the taxi and they were driven to Troughton Road. Abadja and Doh got out of the taxi, and the driver and the girl waited. The two youths walked to nearby Phipps House and waited in the area next to Hartwell House.

At about 17:35hrs Adam left his home address on his moped and rode to the area of Phipps House, arriving at 17:42hrs when he met Abadja and Doh.

The court heard that Abadja had arranged to meet Adam through a third party to purchase drugs.

Just ten seconds later, the moped was seen to leave the area.

During those ten seconds, Adam was stabbed. He managed to drive a very short distance before collapsing. He was found by a passer-by who called the emergency services.

Abadja and Doh fled to the waiting taxi. The driver noted that they seemed in a hurry, saying ‘let’s go boss”. They also switched their destination to Blackwall Lane and they were dropped off by some flats.

Officers carried out enquiries and Abadja was identified as a suspect.

Abadja was located on 18 June 2017 at an address in Pinnell Road, SE9, after officers forced entry into the property – he was arrested and found to be in possession of a wrap of cocaine. Once at the police station, Abadja tested positive for the drug.

Abadja initially went no comment during interview, but later produced a prepared statement. He placed himself at the scene but said it was the male he was with, Doh, who became involved in a fight with Adam. Abadja told officers he was talking to his regular cannabis dealer when the stabbing took place, and he was some distance away. He said he saw Doh produce a knife and stab the victim. He also told officers he did not know this was going to happen.

However, Abadja was charged with murder and possession of a Class A drug (cocaine) in the early hours of 20 June 2017.

Doh, who was aged 15 at the time, was arrested on 21 June 2017. He was found to be in possession of a large knife and four wraps of heroin. He answered ‘no comment’ to all the questions put to him in interview.

The knife was analysed by an expert who concluded the knife found in Doh’s possession was the same one that fatally stabbed Adam. Traces of Adam’s blood were found inside the bag Doh was wearing upon his arrest.

He was charged on 22 June 2017 with murder, possession of a knife and possession of a Class A drug (heroin).

Detective Superintendent Lee Watling, who led the investigation, said: “This was a vicious unprovoked attack on the victim who was unable to defend himself.

“I hope today’s sentencing gives Adam’s family some measure of closure and comfort.”

Man who carried out terrorist attack in Finsbury Park jailed for life

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Man who carried out terrorist attack in Finsbury Park jailed for life

The man who carried out an attack in Finsbury Park which killed one man and injured several others, has been sentenced to life imprisonment today – Friday, 2 February.

Darren Osborne, 48 (30.11.69) of Cardiff, was yesterday convicted of the murder of 51-year-old Makram Ali and the attempted murder of several others on 19 June, 2017, following a nine-day trial at Woolwich Crown Court.

The presiding judge told the court that Osborne’s actions were a terrorist act, as defined by section 30 of the Terrorism Act 2008. As such, Osborne was subject to a higher sentencing tariff and must serve a minimum or 43 years before being considered for parole.

The judge commended a detective sergeant on the investigation for his work and an imam, Mohammed Mahmoud, for his actions calming a crowd at the site of the incident following the attack.

Commander Dean Haydon, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “I welcome the judge’s decision to sentence Osborne under the Terrorism Act, which reflects the gravity of his actions.”

“Osborne’s evil and cowardly attack 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. Twelve 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.”

Family statement read out by Mr Ali’s eldest daughter Ruzina Akhtar outside Woolwich Crown Court on 2 February:

“The last few months have been very hard for our family as we have tried to adjust to life without our father. It was particularly hard for us to have to sit in court and listen to Darren Osborne deny he had done anything wrong. So we are very pleased with the guilty verdict.

“We’d first of all like to thank our barristers, the detectives and the police for all the work they have done to secure the verdict. We’d also like to thank our liaison officers who have been by our side throughout.

“Before our father left the house that night he had spent the evening with his family, it was here he felt most comfortable. He was such a peaceful and simple man, he had no bad thoughts for anyone.

“Our father, like the victims of most terrorism, was entirely innocent which makes his death in this violent way all the more hurtful and we cannot imagine the trauma he felt in the last few minutes.

“But we will choose to remember our father with happier thoughts. He will never be forgotten, he will always stay in our hearts, his laughter will echo the walls of our home, his smile will be reflected in our eyes, his memories will be alive in our conversations.

“We’d like to thank the witnesses who helped the case, family and friends who attended court and the community for the support we received.

“We’d also like to thank the press for respecting our privacy and would ask them to continue to do so, so we can try to move on with our lives as best we can. Thank you.”

Appeal for missing teenage girl

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Appeal for missing teenage girl

Police are appealing for the public’s help to find a missing 15-year-old girl from Woodford Green.

Leia Greenfeld was last seen at 17:15hrs on Thursday, 1 February in the Albany Road area.

She is described as white, of medium build, with long blonde hair tied back in a pony tail.

She is wearing her school uniform, including a dark blue blazer, white blouse and grey skirt.

Officers are concerned for her wellbeing and would urge anyone with information on her whereabouts to call officers at Redbridge via 101.