Category: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been jailed after he beat another man to death in Charlton.

On Thursday, 24 July, a judge at Isleworth Crown Court jailed Radoslaw Brzezicki, 42 (28.06.1982), of Erwood Road, Charlton, for 10 years. Brzezicki was convicted of manslaughter at the same court on Wednesday, 25 June, over the death of 60-year-old Robert Dlugosz

The victim was attacked at his own home in Erwood Road, Charlton, on Wednesday, 22 November, 2023, following an argument. On the same occasion, a woman was also physically assaulted, and Brzezicki was also convicted of causing actual bodily harm in connection with this.

The first responding officer on the scene was one of the last people to speak to Mr Dlugosz while he was still alive. Using a translation app, he was able to obtain an account which proved crucial in this case.

Detective Chief Inspector Samantha Townsend, from Specialist Crime South, and who led the investigation said: “We hope that this sentence will provide some closure to Mr Dlugosz’s family and friends.

“I would once again like to pay tribute to the surviving victim in this case, whose evidence proved essential to securing a conviction and lengthy prison sentence for Brzezicki.”

On Wednesday, 22 November, 2023, a woman in her 40s called police, saying she had escaped from a house in Erwood Road, Charlton, after being assaulted there alongside her friend, Robert Dlugosz. Officers attended and went to Robert’s aid, who was still alive but severely injured.

Using a translation app, an officer was able to obtain a brief account from the victim, a Polish speaker. He said he had been beaten, and identified Radoslaw Brzezicki as the assailant.

Shortly after giving this account, he collapsed. Paramedics attended, and he was taken to hospital. Despite undergoing emergency surgery, Robert sadly died on Saturday, 25 November. A post-mortem examination found that the cause of death was due to a traumatic brain injury.

The account provided by Robert before he died was corroborated by the female victim at the crime scene.

The woman managed to escape the property and told a passerby of the attack, who called police.

Brzezicki was arrested shortly after Robert collapsed.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Two men and three women remain in police custody after a fatal stabbing in Ilford overnight.

The men, aged 27 and 29, were arrested on suspicion of murder alongside three women, aged 29, 30 and 54, after a 30-year-old died of multiple stab wounds at an address in Felbrigge Road, Ilford at 02:09hrs on Wednesday, 23 July.

The London Ambulance Service called police to an altercation. First responding emergency workers treated the man at the scene for stab wounds but despite their best efforts he sadly died.

His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. A post-mortem will take place in due course.

Early enquiries have led detectives to believe this is an isolated incident. Those involved are understood to be known to each other.

Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke from the Met’s Specialist Crime North unit said: “Our thoughts are with the victim’s family at this unimaginably difficult time.

“An incident of this nature sends shockwaves throughout the local area and we understand the direct impact on the community. People can expect to see an uptick in police presence while officers conduct initial investigations. Please do not hesitate to speak to them if you have any concerns at all.”

A crime scene remains in place on Felbrigge Road.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been jailed for life with a minimum of 24 years at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, 22 July after stabbing a man to death and leaving him to die in the middle of a side street in Islington.

Oguzcan Dereli, 26 (08.04.98) of Alexander Road, Islington, was found guilty at the same court of the murder of 20-year-old Abdul-Latif Pouget following a two-week trial that concluded on Friday, 18 July.

The court heard that on Friday, 18 October 2024, Abdul had turned into a side street off Clerkenwell Road and parked his moped. Less than a minute later a blue Ford Focus estate pulled up alongside Abdul’s moped.

Dereli calmly left the vehicle, inadvertently dropping his phone on the road, before approaching Abdul and launching a vicious assault, fatally stabbing him in the thigh, causing significant blood loss. Abdul collapsed on the pavement and Dereli walked back to his vehicle before driving away and leaving him to die.

Kawsaw Pouget, Abdul’s mother, said:

“Our beloved Abdul-Latif Pouget — known to us simply as Abs — had just turned 20, two months before the attack. His life was taken from us too early. He was young, intelligent and full of promise.

“Though he cannot speak for himself at this hearing, we are here to honour him and speak in his name.

“We want to express our heartfelt thanks to the emergency services, police, the hospital staff, the public who assisted him on that night and the local community who stood with us. You have been a ray of hope and support, and there are no words that can truly express our gratitude.”

Detective Chief Inspector Lucie Card, who led the Met’s investigation, said:

“My thoughts and that of my team remain with Abdul’s family, a much loved brother, friend and neighbour.

“A young man has tragically died in a senseless and brutal way. I can only hope that this sentence can go some way in providing a sense of justice to Abdul’s family.”

On the day of Abdul’s death, police were called by the London Ambulance Service to Back Hill, Islington, at 21:36hrs, following reports of a moped colliding with a wall.

Officers attended and while paramedics were treating Abdul they discovered a series of stab injuries. He was rushed to an east London hospital but despite the best efforts of the medical team he died three days later.

An investigation was launched and detectives from the Met specialist crime team began gathering evidence.

They reviewed hours of CCTV that captured the defendant drive the Ford Focus estate down Back Hill road, then approach and assault Abdul. In the footage it is clear that he was armed with a large machete.

Details from the CCTV footage of the vehicle used in the incident proved that the car was registered to Dereli. However, when officers went to arrest him he was not at his home address.

On the evening of Saturday, 19 October 2024, Dereli and his partner were spotted checking into a hotel on Old Street, Shoreditch.

On Sunday, 20 October officers approached the hotel, arresting Dereli and later charging him with murder the following day.

During the trial, Dereli said that he had the machete with him because it had been left in his car by a friend, and that he was planning to throw it in the canal when he saw Abdul.

However, the jury did not believe this account, and he was found guilty.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

An investigation by Met detectives has secured a murder conviction against a man who attacked a stranger on a night out in east London.

Hamza Kamali, 29, was found guilty at the Old Bailey on Tuesday 22 July of murdering 38-year-old Saley Beya outside a nightclub in Romford Road E7 in the early hours of Saturday, 10 August 2024.

Detective Superintendent Kelly Allen, Specialist Crime North, said: “Saley’s family and loved ones have endured incredible pain and suffering over this past year and I am thinking of them today as they process this outcome.

“Kamali’s actions that night were violent and deliberate. He went out armed with a knife – clearly intent on causing harm. We will never know what prompted his interaction with Saley, but it is clear he is a very dangerous individual with little regard for human life and I’m pleased the jury were able to recognise the threat he poses to the public.”

On the evening of Friday, 9 August Saley and his friends had attended a party in Stratford before deciding to continue their evening at a nightclub, arriving at the Romford Road venue at about 02.30hrs.

Around an hour later they were all outside when an altercation took place between one of Saley’s friends and a group of men who were known to Kamali. Shortly after, Kamali arrived at the scene and following a brief interaction with the victim the situation escalated into violence and Kamali stabbed Saley in the leg.

Saley was able to run from the scene, but he was pursued by Kamali who kicked out at him several times as he tried to get away from him. Eventually giving up his pursuit, Kamali returned to Romford Road, before leaving the scene with others.

Meanwhile Saley had succumbed to his wound and collapsed in the street. Emergency services attended and paramedics attempted to stem the bleeding, but Saley went into cardiac arrest on his way to hospital. He remained in a critical condition for nearly three weeks before sadly dying on 29 August.

Following the incident, Kamali returned to his home address. After 30 minutes he reappeared from the property wearing different clothes and carrying a full plastic bag which he was then seen to discard. That bag was never recovered.

After Kamali’s arrest on 16 August a search of his home led to the discovery of a pair of bloodstained trainers – later identified to be his own. He had a noticeable injury to his hand – a wound CCTV had shown him tending to with a tissue in the immediate aftermath of the stabbing. Blood from this injury was also found at the crime scene. It is believed he injured himself with his knife in the course of attacking Saley.

Kamali (03.04.96), who is of Henniker Road, Stratford was convicted of murder and possession of an offensive weapon. He is due to appear at the same court for sentencing on Thursday, 24 July.

+ Abdi Ulusow, 28 (03.09.96), of Hathaway Crescent E12 and Edson Bernardo, 26 (10.07.99), of Carlton Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea appeared at the Old Bailey on 3 July where they pleaded guilty to affray and possession of an offensive weapon (machete and pole) in connection with the incident. Both will also be sentenced at the same court on 24 July.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A British man who offered himself as a spy to assist the Russian Intelligence Service has been convicted of a National Security Act offence after an investigation led by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.

The investigation found that Howard Phillips, 65 (29.08.59) of Harlow, was willing to provide personal details of a former cabinet minister and provide logistical support for Russian espionage activities.

Phillips was arrested after a series of interactions with undercover officers, whom Phillips believed were Russian agents.

Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Flanagan, head of operations for the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Phillips was unemployed and his primary motivation for wanting to become a spy for the Russian Intelligence Service was financial reward.

“His conviction should act as stark warning to anyone who thinks that carrying out illegal activity on behalf of a foreign state is an attractive or easy way to earn money.

“The reality is that we take this kind of activity extremely seriously. Those involved will be identified, investigated and, like Phillips, will face extremely serious consequences when they are convicted.

“This case is also another successful use of the National Security Act to prosecute someone who was attempting to undermine the security of the UK and we will continue to use these powers available to us to help keep the public safe.”

A jury at Winchester Crown Court heard that Phillips was arrested by officers from the Counter Terrorism Command on 16 May, 2024 in central London.

Phillips had travelled to the capital for a meeting with, who he believed to be, two Russian agents. In fact, the people Phillips had been communicating with were undercover officers.

In a series of emails, social media messages and face to face meetings, the undercover officers observed Phillips’s eagerness to help the Russian Intelligence Service in return for payment.

The jury heard Phillips handed over personal details of the UK’s Secretary of State for Defence at the time. Phillips previously met the minister and visited his house as he was his local MP.

Phillips also told the undercover officers that he recently applied for a job at UK Border Force and was in the process of applying for Home Office security clearance for that role.

In a document saved on a USB drive he handed to the officers, Phillips said he could be someone who could “move undetected and travel anywhere at any time, no questions asked” and “avoid suspicion.”

Following his arrest, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) authorised charges against Phillips and he was charged on 23 May 2024 with an offence under section 3 of the National Security Act (NSA), 2023.

After a two-week trial, he was convicted of this offence on 22 July. He will be sentenced on a later date.

All the material released during the case is available here https://mps.box.com/s/gerobjo4…

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Following a complex and harrowing Met Police investigation, a man who took suitcases containing the body parts of two men from west London to Bristol has been found guilty of murder.

Yostin Andres Mosquera, 35 (08.03.90) of Scotts Road, Shepherd’s Bush Green, was convicted by a jury of two counts of murder at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, 21 July.

Paul Longworth, aged 71, and Albert Alfonso, aged 62, were brutally murdered at their flat in Shepherd’s Bush on Monday, 8 July last year.

Detective Chief Inspector Ollie Stride, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command who led this investigation, said:

“This has been one of the most harrowing murders my team have ever investigated, a case that will stay with many of us for a long time.

“Paul and Albert were murdered in the most brutal and callous of ways in their own home.

“The investigation has been complex and intense and we worked tirelessly to build a catalogue of evidence which would ensure we brought Mosquera to justice.

“The team have consumed hundreds hours of footage, including some of the utmost disturbing and graphic nature. Those images will stay with all of us for a very long time.

“We are grateful to all those who helped us build this investigation, including Avon and Somerset Police, who commenced the investigation and arrested Mosquera.

“As well as the many witnesses who provided detailed accounts of events which must have been extremely hard to share.

“We have also worked closely with the LGBT+ Independent Advisory Group and I am grateful for their support and the advice they have provided as they helped monitor the investigation.

“Paul and Albert had known one another for decades. They were in a loving, committed relationship and welcomed Mosquera into their home. They did not deserve to have their lives taken away from them in the most traumatising of circumstances.

“Our thoughts and prayers remain with Paul and Albert’s family and loved ones and all who knew them, as they continue to process the trauma of what happened.”

Gathering and examining evidence

Mosquera booked a van with a driver, and two days after the murders, Mosquera travelled with two suitcases containing body parts to the Mall Pub near the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol.

He caught a taxi the rest of the way to the bridge and caught the attention of local residents, asking him if he needed help with what would be confirmed as enormously heavy cases, with a red substance leaking out, which Mosquera claimed was oil. One witness filmed Mosquera acting suspiciously before Mosquera attempted to knock the phone out of his hand and ran away.

The police were alerted to his suspicious behaviour and a murder investigation was launched after officers discovered the body parts inside the cases.

An address label left on one of the cases led police back to Scotts Road, and on Wednesday, 10 July, Met officers would find crucial evidence in a search of the property, including the decapitated heads of both men in a chest freezer in a hallway of the flat. The murder weapons were found close by.

Homicide detectives built a case with an abundance of evidence to support the motive that Mosquera murdered both men to obtain their property and their money.

Detectives would discover Mosquera had researched a freezer online on several occasions, including the one that he later ordered to be delivered to the address.

Mosquera, who was a Columbian national, had also conducted searches online in Spanish, on topics such as how long it would take for a body to decompose and where on the head would be a fatal blow.

Examinations of Mosquera’s laptop revealed that in the weeks before the murders he was browsing the internet in an effort to find out the value of the Shepherd’s Bush property, and he accessed information about Paul’s and Albert’s finances.

He had also attempted to open a bank account using the Scotts Road address. Immediately after the murders, he accessed a spreadsheet which contained their online banking passwords, and attempted to login to a number of their online bank accounts. He unsuccessfully attempted to send £4,000 to his account in Columbia.

The murders

Mosquera had got to know both men, who were in a civil partnership, over a number of years, and had been staying with them at their flat for the month prior to their murders. It was a property where the two men had lived happily for many years together.

Mosquera was involved in a consensual sexual relationship with Albert, one which Paul was aware of and lovingly accepted. The court heard Albert simply had no reason to kill his partner, Paul, despite Mosquera’s defence that the two of them were in a controlling and coercive relationship.

It was while Albert was at work that Mosquera killed Paul. A neighbour recalls speaking to Paul that morning from one of the windows. This was the last sighting of him alive. Detectives trawled hours of footage from a CCTV camera, located opposite the entrance to the Scotts Road flat, which captured Mosquera standing at the window of the flat and drawing the curtains at around 12:30hrs. It was then that he is believed to have killed Paul.

The post-mortem revealed Paul had died from multiple severe blunt force traumas to the head with a hammer, with injuries on his hands suggesting he’d try to defend himself. Mosquera hid the body in a divan storage space under the bed in Paul’s room and waited for Albert to come home.

Albert arrived home early evening. The killing was captured on cameras which had been set up in Albert’s bedroom to record a sex session between him and Mosquera. The footage showed Mosquera performing sex acts on Albert in his bedroom, before repeatedly stabbing him and cutting his throat.

Mosquera’s arrest and plea

Mosquera was arrested in Bristol in the early hours of Saturday, 13 July 2024. He was charged with two counts of murder two days later.

Although he had admitted killing Albert, he denied the offence of murder, admitting only the lesser offence of manslaughter following what he called, a loss of self-control. He also denied murdering Paul, claiming his long-term partner, Albert, had killed him instead.

Mosquera will be sentenced at the same court in October.

Detective Inspector Neil Meade, of Avon and Somerset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said:

“These crimes were truly horrific and our thoughts are with the families and friends of Albert and Paul.

“Yostin Mosquera’s actions have had a significant impact on our communities in Avon and Somerset and I’m very grateful for the support we received at the time of the incident and have received since. It was an extremely fast-moving and complex investigation and their understanding, particularly in those early days, was hugely appreciated.

“Mosquera had no connection to Bristol and during the trial we’ve heard he chose to travel here in an attempt to dispose of Albert and Paul’s remains and hide his despicable crimes.

“A large number of police officers and members of staff were involved in our investigation and they deserve massive credit, along with colleagues at the Metropolitan Police, in helping ensure he could be brought to justice.

“I know how concerning this incident was – and still is – for our LGBT communities and that some of the details we’ve heard over the course of the trial will have been deeply distressing. We remain in close contact with community leaders and our partners and are ready to provide any support we can.”

For help and advice

If you’ve been affected by this case, please contact Samaritans here or Mind’s support line on 0300 102 1234.

If you’re looking for advice or specialist support for a particular issue, these organisations may be able to help.

For anyone in the LGBT+ community affected by this incident, please visit www.galop.org.ukfor information and support provided by the LGBT+ charity Galop.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Detectives are appealing for the public’s help to identify a man seen in CCTV footage, following a sexual assault in May.

A woman in her 30s reported that a man sexually assaulted her in Hammersmith Grove, W6 at around 03:40hrs on Sunday, 18 May.

She is currently being supported by specialist officers.

On the morning of the assault, the victim was followed by a man as she walked along Hammersmith Grove, past Hammersmith Underground station. He caught up to her and sexually assaulted her before running off towards Hammersmith Broadway.

After the victim reported the sexual assault, officers launched an immediate investigation.

They tracked the man’s movements on CCTV before the offence – where he was seen walking along King Street, Hammersmith. Following the assault, he was seen running north on Park Road towards Browning Avenue before heading into a residential area.

He is described as white, in his 20s and approximately 5ft 8in to 6ft tall. He has dark hair and was wearing a black North Face jacket, black trousers and white trainers.

Detective Superintendent Lucy O’Connor, leading the Met’s investigation, said: “Women and girls should be safe to walk the streets of London without being attacked. That is why we need to identify a man in connection with this incident and are now asking the public to help.

“If you were in the area on the morning of Sunday, 18 May or if you recognise the man in the footage, please contact us as soon as possible.”

If you have any relevant information to share, please call 101 providing the reference 01/7513051/25 or message @MetCC on X.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Detectives investigating the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Rene Graham almost a year ago say that the answers sit within a “small pocket of the community”.

A murder investigation was launched after Rene was killed in Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park at around 19:20hrs on Sunday, 21 July.

CCTV footage showed the suspect walking calmly towards the busy park before he entered via the children’s play area and shot Rene in the chest. Rene sadly died at the scene.

Footage also showed that after shooting Rene, the suspect chased and attempted to shoot a second victim, before fleeing the area. Detectives have released some of the CCTV today to assist their investigation and independent charity Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information.

Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, who is leading the investigation said: “Rene was tragically shot dead during a busy music festival. Since the launch of the investigation, officers have reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV and taken numerous statements from witnesses.

“Rene’s family have continued to be supported throughout these enquiries, and they remain understandably devastated about his death.

“Recently, a man in his 20s was interviewed under caution in relation to Rene’s murder and we continue to investigate all lines of enquiry.”

The footage released today shows the suspect walking in the direction of the park, appearing to pull a gun from his pocket and then running from the area shortly after the shooting.

DCI Foxwell added: “The person responsible for Rene’s murder opened fire in a busy park where dozens of people, including very young children, were enjoying themselves.

“Officers have appealed to the local community on multiple occasions – we believe there are people sitting on the name of the person responsible.

“This person, who was willing to take the life of Rene and risk the lives of others, remains in your community. Now is the time to get in touch with us to give Rene’s family the peace they deserve.

“Our thoughts, remain as ever, with them.”

Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information that leads to the identification and prosecution of those responsible for Rene’s murder.

Alexa Loukas, London Regional Manager for Crimestoppers, said: “Rene, was very sadly murdered last year in broad daylight with over two hundred people present.

“The significant and lasting impact on his family, friends, and the local community, cannot be underestimated and our thoughts and condolences are with his loved ones.

“We believe someone who either witnessed the incident or knows of someone who was there on the day, will have information. No matter how insignificant they think it could be, it could help bring those responsible to justice. You can contact Crimestoppers completely anonymously – we won’t ask for your name and are unable to identify your telephone number or IP address if you are reporting online.

“We don’t record calls, so once you have contacted our Charity there is no further involvement. Your information is passed anonymously on to the Police with no questions asked. Please do the right thing to find justice for Rene, who was only 15 years-old at the time of his death. Your information could make a real difference, and you may be eligible for a reward.”

Crimestoppers urges anyone with information regarding Rene’s murder or any details that could assist the investigation to come forward. Information can be passed on anonymously through Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Any information can be provided to police by calling 101 or messaging @MetCC on X, providing the reference CAD 6343/21Jul.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Police are appealing to the public for information after a man was injured in a stabbing.

At around 01:00hrs on Friday, 18 July, officers were called to North Woolwich Road, Newham, following reports of an assault involving a group of men with knives. Met officers and paramedics from the London Ambulance Service attended. A man, aged in his 20s, was treated at the scene for multiple stab wounds.

He was taken to hospital, where his injuries were assessed as non-life-threatening and non-life-changing.

Investigators are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has information, to call 101, quoting crime reference 368/18JUL.

A report can be filed anonymously via independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

We are aware of videos circulating online, and we are appealing to the public for their help in understanding what took place.

There have been no arrests.