Category: United Kingdom

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man who murdered his partner and then attempted to stage a false scene has been convicted after Met Police detectives uncovered his lies.

Clifford Cowen, 59 (18.08.1966) of Kensington Park Gardens, W11 appeared at Kingston Crown Court on Thursday, 14 August where it took the jury just six hours to find him guilty of murdering Rita Fleming.

Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, who led the investigation said:

“As our investigation into Rita’s death developed, it became clear that Clifford Cowen was a controlling and abusive partner.

“Clifford called 999 that day and attempted to make Rita’s death look like an accident, as though she had drowned in the bath.

“Thanks to the information given by key witnesses and the work of our Specialist Crime Team, we have been able to show the court what a cowardly individual Cowen is.”

An investigation was launched on Sunday, 23 June 2024 after officers were called to 70-year-old Rita Fleming’s address on Golborne Road, W10 by the London Ambulance Service following reports of her being found unresponsive in the bath.

The call had come from Clifford Cowen, who called to say he had looked through the letterbox of Rita’s property and seen her feet in the bed and was concerned for her welfare. However, when officers and paramedics arrived, Rita was found fully clothed in the bath with multiple injuries.

Officers flagged concerns around Cowen’s behaviour at the scene as he was repeatedly asking officers to check CCTV to prove he wasn’t at the address.

Officers arrested him at the scene on suspicion of murder.

In interview, Cowen tried to claim that he was in a loving relationship with Rita, however officers found multiple messages and voice notes indicating that he would regularly get drunk and verbally abuse Rita.

He was charged with murder on Friday, 5 July 2024.

Following a four-week trial at the Old Bailey, a jury found Cowen guilty of murder.

He will appear at Kingston Crown Court on Monday, 1 September for sentencing.

DCI Alison Foxwell added:

“Cowen is a master manipulator who tried to portray his relationship with Rita as a loving one.

“He attempted to cover up his actions with an elaborate alibi, however officers were able to unpick this along with evidence of his controlling and manipulative behaviour.

“Rita was much loved by her family and friends and I hope that Cowen’s conviction gives them an element of closure.

“We understand how isolated victims of domestic abuse can feel. We encourage anyone to contact police and report so we can support alongside our specialist partner agencies.”

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man identified as one of London’s most dangerous offenders has been jailed for rape and sexual assault following an investigation led by Met Police detectives.

The Met’s innovative ‘V100’ programme is transforming the way officers can identify and target the most dangerous perpetrators of violence against women and girls. The V100 programme uses data to identify and target the men who pose the highest risk to women. This allows us to focus the efforts of local and specialist Met officers across London on reducing the threat posed by the most dangerous perpetrators and protecting potential victims from the devastating damage they cause. 

Clinton Easy, 32 (10.09.92), of Lutwyche Road, SE6, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum sentence of 12 years on Thursday, 14 August at Woolwich Crown court.

A restraining order will also be imposed by the judge.

The sentencing followed two trials. During the first trial beginning in July 2024, Easy pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and two charges of actual bodily harm and was found guilty of controlling and coercive behaviour.

The second trial began in May 2025 where Easy was found guilty of two charges of rape.

Detective Inspector Jemma Gregory, who led the Met’s investigation, said: “Easy’s offending is shocking and sets him as a dangerous individual who, thanks to the reports from the victim and strong storyboard of evidence collated by the team, is now safely behind bars.

“I would like to commend the victim on her strength throughout the investigation and thank her for her support throughout the court processes. It is clear that her early reporting has strengthened this case to secure a strong sentence.

“The Met is dedicated to tackling violence against women and girls by hunting down predatory men, with innovative methods being used in practice to secure convictions and strong sentences against those who pose the highest risk.”

Officers were alerted to Easy’s offending following a report made by the victim on 11 January 2024.

Earlier in the evening, Easy had subjected the victim to multiple rapes within her own home, after persuading her to allow him to enter her property.

Threatening her with extreme violence, Easy had bound the victim’s hands while he assaulted her.

A report was made by the victim within hours of the offending taking place, and so officers worked resourcefully to obtain photos of injuries and collect evidence from the scene of the offending, including a cup of Easy’s urine which had been thrown.

Through speaking to the victim, detectives uncovered a pattern of offending which had begun with controlling behaviours against the victim, where Easy would take her phone and post on her social media accounts.

It became apparent that Easy’s offending had been ongoing for over a year with medical records acquired by detectives showing that his attacks had led to the victim to require hospital treatment on multiple occasions in 2023.

Officers established a timeline with a storyboard of evidence gathered post the events

Easy was arrested following a manhunt on 1 February 2024.

The Met is using a number of tactics including our V100 to improve the response to violence against women and girls (VAWG). We have also rolled out training to 20,000 frontline officers and added 565 specially trained officers and staff into teams tackling VAWG which has doubled charges for rape since 2022 and secured 389 Stalking Protection Orders.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A murder investigation has been launched and a man arrested after the death of a woman in Bethnal Green.

Officers were called by the London Ambulance Service to an address on Russia Lane at 21.00hrs on Thursday, 14 August.

A woman, 73, was found with a serious head injury and pronounced dead at the scene. Her next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

A post-mortem examination will take place in due course.

A 45-year-old man, who was known to the victim, was arrested and remains in custody.

Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke, who leads the Central East Command Unit, said: “Our team of officers and forensic specialists are working at pace to establish the full circumstances that led to this woman’s tragic death.

“This is believed to be an isolated incident, with no wider risk to the general public. However, residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area over the coming days.

“If you have any information, if you saw or heard anything suspicious in the area in the hours leading up to 9pm last night, please contact us to help with our enquiries.”

Please call police on 101 quoting CAD 7726/14AUG. Information can also be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by visiting the website.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been arrested and a woman charged following incidents in the Isle of Dogs on Wednesday.

On Wednesday night we released an initial statement following an incident where a man allegedly entered a woman’s flat. He was detained by members of the public nearby.

Our investigation continued on Thursday, with officers carrying out extensive CCTV enquiries and speaking to witnesses.

As a result of this, in the early hours of this morning – Friday, 15 August – we arrested a man in the Hackney area on suspicion of common assault. He is believed to be in his early 20s.

We can confirm that this is the man who allegedly entered the flat. He is now in police custody.

A 22-year-old woman who was arrested on Wednesday evening has since been charged with a number of offences. We can confirm that she is an occupant of the flat that was entered.

Channay Augustus, 22 (28.10.02) of Byng Street, Tower Hamlets has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon, affray, assault on an emergency worker, common assault and possession of cannabis.

The charges of affray and common assault relate to an altercation at the Britannia Hotel in Marsh Wall later on Wednesday evening.

The alleged victim of the common assault is a security guard at the hotel, not the man who allegedly entered her flat.

Augustus has been remanded in custody to appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court later this morning.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Three men have been jailed after kidnapping a pregnant mother from outside her home and threatening to cut her fingers off as they spoke to her terrified partner on the phone.

They were convicted following a detailed investigation by the Met Police which tracked down the van used in the kidnapping and compiled forensic evidence to prove the suspects’ involvement.

• Audi Johnson, 35 (24.12.1989) of Cranberry Close, Northolt had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap and was sentenced to five years and four months.
• Ahmad Ghiasi, 26 (04.10.1998), of Fourth Avenue, Luton was sentenced to seven years for conspiracy to kidnap.
• Nicholas Mitchell, 55 (23.04.1970) of Mannock Close, Barnet was sentenced to nine years for conspiracy to kidnap.

Detective Inspector Ari Yoganathan, of the Flying Squad, who led the Met’s investigation, said: “The victim was leaving her home to see her personal trainer on a morning that should have been like any other. That a pregnant mother should be bundled into a van and kidnapped from outside her home, bound and subjected to horrific threats is a disgusting and terrifying crime.

“Officers were able to track her attackers through forensic analysis of CCTV and phone data, recordings and intelligence.

“This verdict shows how we are taking the fight to criminal gangs and committed to supporting the local communities they intimidate and threaten.”

The 36-year-old woman, who was six months pregnant, left her home on the morning of Friday, 10 May 2024 to wait for a cab to take her to a personal training session with her mother and sister.

But as she walked along the curb close to her Enfield home, she was suddenly grabbed and thrown into the back of a white Ford Transit van.

Her attackers bound her hands with cable ties as they quickly drove away before questioning her about her partner – with one demanding: “If you lie to me I’m gonna kick the baby out your stomach.”

In a series of terrifying phone calls, the men called her partner and threatened to cut off her fingers if he did not quickly carry out their demands for money and valuable jewellery.

Johnson, Ghiasi and Mitchell were members of a London-based gang, who had been contracted to carry out the kidnapping.

Despite being blindfolded and bound at the wrist, when the woman was left alone in the van she managed to escape the vehicle, before flagging down a cab and travelling to the safety of her mother’s house.

The Met’s Flying Squad responded to the crime immediately. They subsequently tracked the van using CCTV and were able to locate the vehicle the same night the hostage was recovered. Officers were then able to identify the suspects using DNA evidence, fingerprint impressions and mobile phone data.

Johnson, Ghiasi and Mitchell were found guilty of conspiracy to kidnap on Tuesday, 3 June following a six-week trial at Kingston Crown Court.

In a powerful victim impact statement, the woman said that she has not been able to go home since the traumatic ordeal, and spent the rest of her pregnancy sleeping on her sister’s couch.

She said: “The incident ruined my life. I will never be the same person again. I am having to start my life all over again.

“I will forever have fear and paranoia as part of my life now. I didn’t deserve to be a victim of what happened to me. And to top it off, it was all made so much worse by being pregnant.

“This will always be something that will be part of my pregnancy, which is meant to be a happy experience, and will always be something that is a part of my daughter.”

Media assets can be downloaded here: https://mps.box.com/s/oahjylrbdpo2pc33x1mn2wljo7m6emmv

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been convicted of the manslaughter of his mother in south-west London, following a Met Police investigation.

Following a trial at Croydon Crown Court, Donald Yeboah, 29 (21.02.96), of Wingate Square, Lambeth, was found guilty on Wednesday, 13 August, of the manslaughter of his mother, Leticia Brobbey, following an assault at their home last year.

Police were called on Wednesday, 8 May, 2024, to reports of a disturbance in their flat in Clapham.

Officers had to force their way into the property and found a woman, later identified as Leticia Brobbey, seriously injured at the scene.

She was taken to hospital in a critical condition but sadly died of her injuries a week later on Tuesday, 14 May. She was 52-years-old.

Detective Chief Inspector Samantha Townsend from Met’s Homicide and Serious Crime team in south London said:

“This is a tragic incident and our thoughts remain with Leticia’s family and friends as they continue to process what has happened.

“Leticia was a caring mother who on that day had expressed concerns about her sons behaviour, that evening Donald brutally assaulted her, while his brother was sleeping in the room next door.

“Sadly, Leticia did not recover from the injuries she sustained in the attack and died a week later”.

Donald Yeboah was arrested at the scene following the incident, and was taken to hospital for treatment.

He was charged with the attempted murder of his mother on Friday, 10 May, and formally charged with murder on Monday, 3 June, following Leticia’s death.

A post-mortem examination showed she had suffered multiple blunt force injuries to the head and neck, which caused a traumatic brain injury.

He will be sentenced at the same court at a later date.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A Met Police operation in London’s West End targeting anti-social driving has resulted in super cars worth more than £6million being removed from the capital’s streets.

Officers seized a total of 72 luxury vehicles, including Ferrari’s, Lamborghini’s and Bentley’s that were either unroadworthy or being driven illegally.

The operation was organised in response to concerns raised by residents, businesses and visitors about a rise in super cars causing a nuisance in and around the Hyde Park, Kensington and Chelsea areas.

Working alongside the Motor Insurers’ Bureau between Friday, 8 and Sunday, 10 August, the cars were seized and drivers issued with tickets for a variety of motoring offences, including driving with no insurance, no driving licence, disqualification, false documentation and the use of fraudulent number plates.

Officers also recovered several stolen vehicles, with another ten identified as having no valid MOT documentation and a further eleven without road tax.

Met officers uncovered a range of other criminal activity as part of their investigation, making eight arrests. These included individuals wanted for actual bodily harm and criminal damage, drug offences, theft and immigration offences.

London’s town centres, high streets and communities are seeing an enhanced police and local authority presence this summer as part of partnership work to build on reductions in theft, burglary, robbery, anti-social behaviour and retail crime achieved in the capital so far this year, with this proactive operation another example of how the Met is keeping people and motorists safe.

The operation was supported by volunteer officers from the Met’s Special Constabulary.

Special Chief Officer James Deller, from the Met’s Special Constabulary, said:

“The Met is committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and this operation was set-up to respond to concerns from resident, businesses and visitors about high-value vehicles causing a nuisance in known hotspot areas in central and west London.

“The Met has already reduced neighbourhood crime by 19 per cent over recent months and we’re addressing anti-social behaviour caused by uninsured drivers.

“This has been a great opportunity to work with the Motor Insurance Bureau and for officers to speak with members of the public about the work we do, educate drivers and enforce the law.”

Details of those arrested:

• A 22-year-old man from Hammersmith was arrested for ABH and criminal damage and has been remanded.

• A 25-year-old man from London was arrested and later charged for possession of a Class B drug.

• A 27-year-old man from Watford was arrested for theft of a motor vehicle and released under investigation.

• A 23-year-old man from Twickenham was arrested for theft of motor vehicle, dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, no insurance, no driving licence and drug driving and remanded.

• Three men, aged 26, 35 and 39, and a 23-year-old woman, all from London, were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences.

Get the latest updates from Met neighbourhood officers straight to your inbox.

Met Engage is a free messaging service that keeps you connected to what’s happening in your area. Whether it’s crime updates, safety advice, or news from your local policing team, you’ll get the information that matters to you — when it matters most.

By signing up here, you’ll join thousands of others who are already receiving trusted updates from their local police.