Two people jailed following an investigation into payments for child sexual abuse

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Two people have been jailed following an investigation into payments for child sexual abuse.

Detective Constable Matthew Cranston, from Central East Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “This has been a truly harrowing experience for the child and I am glad that both people involved have received appropriate prison sentences.

“We remain seriously concerned about the predatory nature of Ahmad’s offending in this case. If you recognise him and have a specific concern about his interaction with a child, please get in touch with us on 101, contact @MetCC on X, or make a report on the Met’s website.”

Ferdous Ahmad, 38 (05.12.86), of Queensbridge Road, Brixton, and the woman, from Devas Street, Tower Hamlets, were found guilty after a two-week trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday, 30 September.

Ahmad was convicted of:

  • Two counts of sexual assault
  • Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child
  • Inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
  • Sexual communication with a child
  • Two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity
  • Inciting a child to engage in sexual activity

The woman was convicted of:

We will not be confirming the woman’s identity so as to avoid identification of the child victim.

They were sentenced at the same court on Monday, 16 December.

Ahmad was sentenced to 12 years in prison and issued with a Sexual harm Prevention Order and Restraining Order.

The woman was sentenced to five years in prison.

As a key part of Met’s transformation, one of our 10 key commitments in the VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls) action plan is tackling perpetrators through the V100 approach. This data-driven project is a great example how the Met is able to identify and target the top men and women who pose serious risk to the public.

A New Met for London is improving how we protect the women and girls from violence, largely at the hands of predatory and abusive men. We encourage victims to come forward and help us put an end to this extreme violence – to report rape or sexual abuse, find out more: https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rsa/rape-and-sexual-assault/how-to-report-rape-and-sexual-assault/

UPDATE: Woman murdered in Brent shooting named as investigation continues

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A murder investigation is under way following a shooting in Brent.

At approximately 21:15hrs on Saturday, 14 December police were called to reports a shooting in Gifford Road, NW10.

Officers and London Ambulance Service paramedics attended the scene.

A woman was found suffering serious injuries – despite the efforts of the emergency services she was pronounced dead at the scene.

While formal identification has yet to take place, officers are confident she is 46-year-old Michelle Sadio. Her family are being supported by specialist officers.

Two men, both aged in their 30s, also suffered injuries. One remains in hospital in a critical condition; the other man’s injuries are not life threatening.

Road closures remain in place around the scene as work continues to gather evidence following the shooting.

There have been no arrests and enquiries into the circumstances continue.

Superintendent Tony Josephs, from the North West Command Unit which covers Brent, said: “This is a truly shocking incident that has left a woman dead and two others injured, and I understand the concern this will cause the local community and those across London.

“I want to reassure people that a team of experienced detectives are already working at pace to piece together the events of last night and identify whoever was responsible for this heinous act of violence.

“If you were in or around Gifford Road at the time of the shooting, or have any information about who was responsible, please get in contact with us. A family has been left devastated and we need to work together to provide them with answers.”

Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or message @MetCC on X giving the reference 7137/14DEC. You can also provide information, or upload images and footage, through the online portal here or by scanning the attached QR code.

Information can also be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Met issues images of man suspected of protest offence

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Detectives have released an images of man alleged to be involved in a public order offence during a protest in central London yesterday

It is alleged that on Saturday, 14 December 2024 in the Trafalgar Square area, a man has made a nazi salute towards a counter protest linked to “Stop the hate”.

The male is white, aged approximately 20-25, clean shaven with brown hair. He was wearing a dark knitted hat with a, a dark hooded jacket, and a navy padded outer coat.

Anyone who recognises this male or who has any other information about the incident should call 101 giving both reference 01/1202354/24 and the reference of the specific image.

Murder investigation launched following shooting in Brent

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A murder investigation is under way following a shooting in Brent.

At approximately 21:15hrs on Saturday, 14 December police were called to reports a shooting in Gifford Road, NW10.

Officers and London Ambulance Service attended the scene.

A woman, believed aged in her 40s, was found suffering injuries – despite the efforts of the emergency services she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two other men, both aged in their 30s, also suffered injuries. One remains in hospital in a critical condition; the other man’s injuries are not life threatening.

Road closures remain in place around the scene as work continues to gather evidence following the shooting.

There has been no arrest and enquiries into the circumstances continue.

Superintendent Tony Josephs, from the North West Command Unit which covers Brent, said: “This is a truly shocking incident that has left a woman dead and two others injured, and I understand the concern this will cause the local community and those across London.

“I want to reassure people that a team of experienced detectives are already working at pace to piece together the events of last night and identify whoever was responsible for this heinous act of violence.

“If you were in or around Gifford Close at the time of the shooting, or have any information about who was responsible, please get in contact with us. A family has been left devastated and we need to work together to provide them with answers.”

Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD7137/14Dec. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Bravery of officers lauded after residents rescued from fire in Willesden

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

The bravery of two officers, along with members of the public, has been lauded after they entered a burning building in Willesden to rescue occupants who were inside.

The incident unfolded at around 13:10hrs on Friday, 13 December after emergency services were called to reports of a fire in a three-storey building on High Street, NW10.

Officers were quickly on scene and immediately recognised the dangerous situation unfolding in front of them with smoke billowing from windows and reports of people still inside a flat on the first floor.

Two officers, along with members of the public, entered the building and made their way up to the first floor. They directed residents out of the building but were alerted to a man who was trapped in an upstairs flat. Utilising a ladder located in a courtyard area at the back of the building, a member of the public managed to break a window and help the man escape.

Thankfully no-one was seriously injured although three residents and one of the officers, who is aged in his 20s, were taken to hospital for treatment due to the effects of smoke inhalation. One officer remains in hospital and all are expected to make a full recovery.

The officers are being supported following the ordeal.

Commander Paul Trevers said: “The actions of these officers exemplifies the qualities that runs through the core of our officers in the Met police – bravery, tenacity and above all a desire to keep the public safe when faced with danger.

“Confronted with a terrifying situation and knowing that people were at risk they did not hesitate in going into that building to protect the lives of others. I am immensely proud of their actions as I’m sure all Londoners will be.

“I would also like to praise the courage of the members of the public who, alongside our officers, helped ensure the safety of those inside the building.”

If you would like to find out more about becoming a police officer and helping to keep London safe, more information about the various careers available and how to join the Metropolitan Police Service can be found at www.Met.Police.uk/careers.

Man jailed for murder of Julian Ebanks in Greenwich

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been jailed after being found guilty of luring a young man to his death in south-east London.

Ishmaiel Kallon, 23 (12.03.01), of Kender Street, Greenwich, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 22 years following a hearing at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, 13 December for his role in the murder of Julian Ebanks.

He was found unanimously guilty on Monday, 30 September following a four-week trial at the same court.

Julian, aged 20, was fatally stabbed on Kender Street in the early hours of 4 August 2023.

Homicide detectives carried out witness enquiries to track down the individuals responsible and, through analysis of mobile phone data, along with other intelligence, Kallon and another man were identified as the main suspects.

The court heard that Kallon had phoned Julian in the hours before the attack. It became clear that his intention was to lure Julian out into the open in Kender Street.

Julian was then stabbed by another man whilst Kallon acted as a ‘spotter’. Enquiries are still ongoing to locate the other man.

Julian had left London earlier in the year fearing for his life but had returned to attend a family member’s birthday party. He has only been back in London for 90 minutes before he was murdered.

Kallon never gave any explanation to why Julian was brutally murdered. However, analysis of Kallon’s devices showed that this attack was fuelled by a disagreement between the parties earlier in 2023.

Kallon was arrested on 10 August 2023 and appeared at Bromley Magistrates Court the next day charged with Julian’s murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin Thorpe, who led the homicide investigation, said:

“Kallon is a dangerous individual, who had no qualms about luring another man to his death.

“Our thoughts of course remain with the loved ones of Julian – we know this has been an extremely difficult time and we will continue to offer them our full support.

“I am pleased that as a result of our investigation we have delivered justice for the Ebanks family by ensuring the person responsible for Julian’s killing will spend a considerable time behind bars.

“I would also like to commend the outstanding work of my team. Their incredible dedication and many long hours analysing CCTV and phone records meant that Kallon was identified and arrested only six days after the horrific attack.”

Images released of two men sought following high value handbag theft in Mill Hill

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Detectives investigating a burglary at a premises specialising in luxury handbags have issued images of two men they want to identify.

Between 22:30hrs and 22:50hrs on Tuesday, 3 December, a number of items, including luxury handbags and watches, were stolen from a venue on Bunns Lane, NW7. The value of the items stolen is estimated at around £200,000.

Detectives have released images of two men they would like to speak to in connection with this offence.

Detective Sergeant Joe Halsey said: “I would ask people to look at these images and see if they recognise the two men shown. They were taken in Bunns Lane earlier on the day of the theft.

“The owner of the business is understandably distraught by what has happened and we need assistance to apprehend those responsible.

“At this time we are working to establish whether this burglary is linked to any others.”

Anyone with information that could assist is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote 01/1160486/24. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Man jailed for rape and manslaughter of woman in Southall

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been jailed after being found guilty of the rape and manslaughter of Natalie Patricia Shotter in Southall.

Mohammed Noor Iidow, 35 (17.02.89) of St Paul’s Close, Hounslow appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday, 13 December where he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of ten years and eight months.

The sentencing concludes an extensive investigation by the Met Police.

Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, from Specialist Crime South said: “No sentence can reverse the pain that Natalie’s family have had to endure over the past few years. I commend the determination, strength and dignity they have shown.

“Iidow’s offences are shocking and difficult to comprehend. This man drove to the park that night and took advantage of a women, who then died as a result of his actions.

“Those involved in the investigation were committed throughout to prove that Natalie’s death was caused by being raped. This was a complex and challenging investigation, however Iidow will now be spending a significant amount of time behind bars.”

The investigation was launched on Saturday, 17 July 2021, after Natalie was located by a member of the public, unresponsive on a bench in Southall Park at around 05:42hrs. She was sadly declared dead at the scene.

When reviewing CCTV footage from the night of the attack, detectives discovered Iidow walking past Natalie multiple times before approaching her and raping her repeatedly. He then left her on the bench and drove home. He was arrested at his home in Hounslow on 4 August 2021.

Iidow was charged on 21 December 2023 with manslaughter and rape and following a three-week trial at the Old Bailey, he was found guilty of both counts on Friday, 18 October 2024.

Fourth man convicted following death of Lavaun Witter in Croydon

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A fourth man has been convicted as part of an investigation into the death of a man in Croydon in 2021.

On 5 February 2021, 22-year-old Lavaun Witter was fatally stabbed in the leg with a Samurai sword after four men broke into a flat in Wisbeach Road.

The four men, who were armed with long knives and swords, demanded drugs to be handed over and slashed through an internal door to get to Lavaun, who had barricaded himself in with two men and a 16-year-old boy.

Lavaun and the 16-year-old, who also suffered a stab injury, managed to run away from the scene, but Lavaun collapsed a short distance away. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he died a short time later.

Homicide detectives immediately launched an investigation and a mixture of witness statements and CCTV identified Tyreece Riggon, Julian Russell, Tyreece Wolfries-Parkin and Alex Pasley as the men involved in the fatal attack.

On 18 February 2021, police raided an address linked to Riggon and he and Russell were arrested. A subsequent search of an address linked to Russell recovered a Louis Vuitton bag belonging to Lavaun.

Wolfries-Parkin and Pasley were also arrested in the following weeks.

Detectives built up the case against all four defendants via witness statements and analysis of the activity of phone numbers linked to them before and after the fatal attack.

All were charged with Lavaun’s murder as well as attempted murder and attempted grievous bodily harm of the 16-year-old.

A trial at the Old Bailey began on 17 July 2023 and Julian Russell (18.09.1998) of Sanfield Road, CR7 and Tyreece Wolfries- Parkins, (06.10.2002) were found guilty of murder. Alex Pasley (01.10.1995) of Paxton Grove, Coulsdon was found guilty of manslaughter.

A re-trial began on 4 November 2024 and on Thursday, 12 December, Tyreece Riggon, (29.09.2000) of Armistice Gardens, SE25 was found guilty of attempted GBH. Pasley was also found guilty of attempted GBH in relation to the attack on the 16-year-old boy.

Sentencing will take place at the Old Bailey on 16 January 2025.

Detective Inspector Mike Nolan, who led the investigation, said:
“A shocking level of violence was used by these men, who were determined to gain possession of drugs they believed to be inside the flat.

“Lavaun stood no chance against four men armed with large knives, including a Samurai sword.

“It is important that all four men involved in the Lavaun have been identified and brought to justice.

“The streets of London will be safer now they will be in jail for a considerable period of time.”

Man convicted of 2017 Walthamstow murder following re-trial

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been convicted of the murder of teenager Kacem Mokrane in east London following a re-trial.

Christopher Wilson, 23 (24.07.01) of Templar Drive, SE28 was found guilty on Thursday, 12 December at the Old Bailey.

He will be sentenced on a date to be confirmed.

Kacem, who was 18 years old, was killed on 16 November 2017 as part of an ongoing feud between two rival east London gangs.

Wilson is the fifth person to be convicted of Kacem’s murder, with four others convicted in June 2023.

On the night of the murder, police were called at around 23:15hrs to Mount Pleasant Road in Walthamstow to reports of an altercation and a group of males armed with weapons including knives, machetes and swords. Kacem was ambushed by the group, who stabbed him at least twice, before fleeing from the scene.

Kacem was taken to Royal London Hospital where he received emergency surgery. Sadly, following complications, he died in hospital on 20 November 2017.

A post-mortem examination gave cause of death as multi-organ failure caused by hypovolemic shock and complications arising from a stab wound to the abdomen.

Detective Inspector Ben Dalloway, from Specialist Crime, said: “Kacem lost his life in a senseless and brutal attack by individuals who were intent on revenge following an ongoing feud between rival gangs. This is the second trial Kacem’s family and loved ones have had to endure and they are very much in my thoughts.

“This was a particularly complex investigation, involving a number of suspects, numerous crime scenes, and links to other incidents. Regarding the latter, my team spent months piecing together the circumstances of those various other crimes, and how they were interlinked, with one officer committing more than 500 hours of their time to a methodical analysis of both CCTV footage and material from body worn video. That work enabled us to present a strong case to the Crown Prosecution Service.”

+ In June 2023, Hamza Ul-Haq, Luca Griffiths, Abdirisak Ali, and Kamil Kazmierski were all jailed for Kacem’s murder.