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August 2023
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Three teenagers have been found guilty of the murder of 17-year-old Anas Mezenner in Tottenham. The three defendants, all aged 17, appeared before the Old Bailey on Wednesday, 25 August where they were convicted as follows: [A] was found guilty of the manslaughter of Anas Mezenner and grievous bodily harm [GBH] with unlawful wounding in relation to a second 17-year-old male who was also stabbed during the incident. [B] was found guilty of the murder of Anas Mezenner and GBH wounding with intent in relation to a second 17-year-old male who was also stabbed during the incident. [C] was found guilty of the manslaughter of Anas Mezenner. All three are remanded in custody to appear for sentencing at the same court on Thursday, 30 September. manslaughter vs murder The court heard how Anas was with a group of three friends in the area around West Green Road on the evening of Tuesday, 19 January. At around 21:00hrs Anas and his friends were confronted by the suspects in Willow Walk, N15 who were armed with at least three knives. In the ensuing attack, Anas was stabbed and assaulted and left for dead. His three friends were chased and although they managed to escape, one of them received a stab wound to the back. Police and London Ambulance Service were called to the scene and found Anas collapsed in the street. He was taken to hospital; however – despite the best efforts of medical staff, Anas died in the early hours of the following morning. An investigation was launched and following an analysis of the scene vital evidence was recovered. A Chrysler vehicle was found parked in nearby Milton Road – it was searched and two large knives were recovered inside. Forensic analysis of the vehicle yielded fingerprints belonging to two of the defendants. CCTV analysis of the surrounding area was secured and was found to show the three defendants in the moments before and after the attack. On Wednesday, 20 January a warrant was executed at an address in Turnpike Lane and [A] and [B] were arrested. A search of the address recovered another knife and clothing that could link to the suspects shown on CCTV. An analysis of a mobile phone seized from [A] also revealed messages describing the fatal attack. On Wednesday, 27 January a further warrant was executed in Tottenham and [C] was arrested. A further knife was recovered at this address. In police interview, two of the suspects refused to answer questions but [A] provided a prepared statement claiming he was at a friend’s house on the night of the murder and never left; this was plainly untrue as CCTV had identified him at the scene. All three males were subsequently charged with Anas’s murder and GBH for the attack on his friend. Detective Inspector Louise Caveen from the Met’s Specialist Crime said: “This was a clinical and violent attack that left a young man with fatal injuries. In a matter of seconds, Anas was stabbed, assaulted and left to die on the street - another example of a young life needlessly lost as a result of knives being on our streets. “While we have not been able to establish exactly why Anas was attacked, we believe the confrontation took place as a result of an incident, some years before, where one of Anas’s group had had their phone taken. "Whilst Anas and his friends may have anticipated a confrontation, they did not attend the location armed with knives with the intent of using lethal force as the suspects did. “The loss of Anas has been devastating for his family and I sincerely hope they can take a small measure of comfort in knowing that those responsible for his death have been held to account.” + A 14-year-old male [D] was found not guilty of all counts at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, 25 August. Banned knife guidelines source
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A convicted terrorist offender who broke the conditions of his release by not telling police his new employer had given him access to vehicles is going back to jail.
Andrew Rowe, 50, (29.07.1971) of St John’s Wood, London, was jailed for ten months on Thursday, 29 July. This followed an investigation by officers from the Met’s Terrorist Offender Management Unit (TOMU) which began after it came to light that in August 2019, Rowe had failed to declare access to vehicles. Having registered with an employment agency to work as an HGV driver, Rowe accepted work with Serco, driving refuse lorries on behalf a local authority. Because he didn’t inform police of the access to the refuse lorries with a certain time period, he broke one of the conditions of his release, leading to the police investigation. On 4 February 2020, charges were authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service and on 18 March 2020, he appeared in court where he denied the charges. The case was referred to the Central Criminal Court and on 29 March 2021, Rowe admitted to nine counts of breaching a Part 4 notification under the Counter Terrorism Act 2008. During this time, Rowe had been remanded on bail by the court. new laws on terrorism Acting Commander Kevin Southworth, SO15, said: “This was a very serious breach and is exactly why the work of our Terrorism Offender Management Unit is so crucial. Our priority is to keep the public safe, and the requirements for terrorism offenders released into the community are so strict for this reason. “Rowe was obliged to report the access to the vehicles within three days which he did not, therefore we took action to investigate and bring him before the court. “Upon his release, Rowe will continue to be managed by police.” + Communities defeat terrorism, and information from the public is vital to counter terrorism investigations. If you see or hear something unusual or suspicious and think someone may be engaging in terrorist activity, trust your instincts and act by reporting it in confidence at gov.uk/ACT or, in an emergency, dial 999. Visit the ACT Early website at www.actearly.uk to find out how you can seek help and support for anyone who you suspect has been radicalised, or is vulnerable. more terrorism offenders jailed
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A former music teacher has been convicted of 32 sexual offences against young girls.
Ben Breakwell, 40 (17.10.1980) of Monkgate, York, was convicted on Monday, 2 August after a trial at Isleworth Crown Court. He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at the same court on a date to be determined. From 2014 until the end of 2017, Breakwell worked at a school in west London. The court heard how he abused his position as a music teacher to engage his young pupils in sexual activity. The offences related to sexual activity with three girls whose ages ranged from 13 to 16 and indecent images of a fourth. falsely accused of sexual harassment ? As Breakwell's offences came to light, a pattern emerged showing how he carefully groomed the girls in order take advantage of them. Breakwell began a full sexual relationship with two of his victims when they were aged just 13 and 14. A third victim, who was the object of Breakwell's attention, received flattery and supportive messages from him. During a lesson, Breakwell took advantage of their proximity to kiss her. The girl was upset and later told her friends and then her mother who confronted Breakwell. Breakwell denied he had deliberately kissed her. The victim later told police that she felt guilty about what had happened as she had bought him a box of sweets as a thank you present and thought that this may have encouraged him. She was also worried that there was nothing to support her account if she decided to tell the school. For these reasons no formal complaint was made. However, in September 2017, the friends of one of the victims approached a member of school staff. They told him of their suspicion about this inappropriate relationship involving Breakwell, The school immediately suspended him, police were alerted and an investigation began, led by specialist officers from the West Area Command Unit. After gathering evidence and speaking to the victims, Breakwell was arrested in November 2017. A search of his computer uncovered indecent images of another victim who did not live in this country, this girl was successfully traced by investigating officers and she and her family have been spoken to. Breakwell was interviewed about the matters, but denied that any sexual relationship had taken place between him and the girls. In February 2020, he was charged with multiple sexual offences. Detective Constable Ben Lawrence-Smith said: “My thoughts are with the young girls who were betrayed by Breakwell. They have all been incredibly brave and it is their courage in speaking out that has brought him to justice. "Breakwell deceived and abused these girls and then sought to evade any responsibility for his actions. They were manipulated to the point where some felt it was they who were doing wrong. The fact Breakwell was a teacher only compounds this gross betrayal of trust. “It is clear that Breakwell was a sexual predator who carefully manipulated these young girls in order to exploit them. His victims were very young and he led them to believe they were in love with him, knowing that if they cared for him they were less likely to alert anyone to his crimes. "It can be difficult for victims of sexual offences, especially when their abusers are people in positions of power and trust, to speak out. I would ask that if you suspect anyone to be at risk from similar manipulation and abuse, please tell someone, either a parent, a carer or someone in authority. “Due to the predatory nature of Breakwell’s crimes, it is possible there are further victims who have yet to come forward. If you or someone you know has been affected by Breakwell’s offending, or you have been a victim of a sexual offence, please come forward to police. Specially trained officers will be there to listen and support all allegations and work to bring offenders to justice." Source
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More firearms are being seized by the Metropolitan Police than ever before amid a continued crackdown on violent crime.
A total of 450 firearms were seized in 2020/2021 compared to 366 recovered in the previous financial year. The trend is set to continue with 98 firearms seized in the first quarter of this financial year compared to 92 for the same period the previous year. The figures were released after Commissioner Cressida Dick joined Mayor Sadiq Khan on an operation targeting gun crime and gang activity in east London. Local officers, supported by specialist colleagues, including firearms officers, were targeting those suspected of carrying firearms and being involved in street gangs. The operation was led by the Met’s Viper teams which include specialist detectives who assess information in fast-time to identify, arrest and disrupt those behind gun violence. The operation, part of work across the capital, followed a night of successful police activity. Solicitors Huddersfield In one incident, detectives recovered three firearms, ammunition and drugs after attending a commercial premises in Romford Road, Chigwell. Officers found evidence of the conversion and manufacturing of firearms. Four men, aged 20 to 55, were arrested and remain in custody. In a second incident, a loaded shotgun, ammunition and four knives were seized after officers responded to reports of a fight in Emerald Road, Harlesden. Two men, one aged 20 and the second aged 23, were arrested and several knives recovered following a search by officers and a dog unit. Commissioner Cressida Dick said: “These two incidents highlight how the Met is working day and night to target those responsible for violence in London. “Yet more potentially lethal weapons have been removed from the streets and people are safer as a result of the actions of my officers. “The streets of London do not belong to those intent on violence, they belong to the public. “We will never be complacent and our work to suppress shootings will not ease. The Met has been extremely successful in the last few months as we target gun criminals. “These successes give us even more of a hunger to bear down on those involved and bring them swiftly to justice.” Last month, officers intensified their focus on gangs, offenders who cause the most harm and firearms offences. A series of arrest warrants, overt and covert patrols and enhanced weapons sweeps took place across London from Monday, July 26. On the first day of action, officers found 30 stashed shotgun cartridges in the ceiling of a stairwell in Battersea. By the end of the week, 45 warrants had been executed and 45 people had been arrested. Items seized included eight firearms, 55 rounds of ammunition, several zombie knives, a large quantity of both class A and class B drugs as well as stolen vehicles and cash. In 2021, London has seen the lowest number of lethal barrelled discharges for 10 years, with 114 between January and July compared with 183 for the same time period the previous year. Commander Dave McLaren, who oversees the Met’s response to gun crime, said: “Since the start of the week of action, we have not had a single lethal barrelled weapon discharged. “This is unheard of in London in recent years and it just goes to show that the hard work put in by my officers and staff to tackle gun crime, not just in the past week, but in the past months and years, is really starting to pay off. “We know the public expect us to keep up the pressure on those intent on harm and rely on us to keep them safe from gangs and organised criminal networks. We will keep working to make London a hostile place for the supply and transport of firearms.” The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Tackling violence and making our city safer is my number one priority and I’m determined to be tough on crime with support for the Met Police as they work to target the most serious offenders, remove lethal weapons from our streets and bear down on gang violence. “There will continue to be a relentless focus by the Met on suppressing violence over the summer with more officers on the streets patrolling open spaces and parks, as well as working to keep our town centres safe both during the day and night. “This activity is part of our comprehensive plan to tackle violence this summer in London and brings the police, City Hall, London’s Violence Reduction Unit, local authorities and criminal justice partners closer than ever before to drive down violence and be tough on the complex causes of crime by helping support young people and delivering hundreds of positive opportunities.” Information on how to report a suspected firearms discharge, or to provide information to the police on where firearms are being stored or who is in possession of a weapon, can be made by calling 999, tweeting @MetCC or visiting our website. Alternatively, we strongly encourage anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers. They never ask your name and they cannot trace your call, your IP address or the device you use. Fill in their quick online form or call 0800 555 111. It could save a life. source
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A man previously convicted of terrorism offences who breached his notification requirements has been jailed after an investigation by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.
Ismail Abdurahman, 39 (12.05.82) of south-east London, pleaded guilty on 22 June at Kingston Crown Court to three breaches of Part 4 Notification Order requirements under the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 – namely failing to notify police of a mobile phone number and email account he was using, as well as not notifying them of a vehicle he had access to. He was sentenced on Wednesday, 4 August at the same court to eight months’ imprisonment in relation to the breaches. Tougher sentencing on Terrorism Commander Richard Smith, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command said: “When those convicted for terrorist offences are released from prison, they are subject to licence conditions and notification orders – as was Abdurahman in this case. “These conditions and orders are designed to help keep the public safe and we will make sure we do everything we can, working with our partners, to monitor those subject to such measures. When they fail to comply, as Abdurahman did, we will not hesitate to investigate, and put them before the courts.” Abdurahman was originally convicted in February 2008 as part of a counter terrorism investigation, where he was convicted of failing to disclose information which may be of material assistance to preventing the commission of terrorism and assisting an offender. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to be subject to a Part 4 Notification Order for 15 years after his release, meaning he had to notify police of certain changes to circumstances, such as use of financial accounts, email accounts and vehicles. In February 2020, Abdurahman was recalled to prison for an unrelated breach of his licence conditions. Following this, counter terrorism officers searched Abdurahman’s room and found evidence that he was using an undeclared mobile phone number and email account, as well as documents suggesting he had previous use and ownership of a car and financial documents relating to accounts he hadn’t declared to police. After further enquiries, Abdurahman was charged with five counts of breaching Part 4 Notification Order requirements under the Counter Terrorism Act, 2008, pleading guilty to three of the counts. Two counts (relating to the financial accounts) are to lie on file. + Communities defeat terrorism, and information from the public is vital to counter terrorism investigations. If you see or hear something unusual or suspicious and think someone may be engaging in terrorist activity, trust your instincts and act by reporting it in confidence at gov.uk/ACT. Always dial 999 or in an emergency.
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Specially-trained officers conducted 21 fast pursuits, recovered drugs, knives, cash and stolen mopeds and targeted would-be thieves as part of a police operation set up to coincide with the end of lockdown restrictions.
Officers from Operation Venice and the Roads and Transport Policing Command focused their attention on hotspot areas at key times of the day to prevent those intent on using mopeds and other means of transport to steal from members of the public. Officers recovered 100 wraps of Class A drugs and £2,000 in cash as part of the operation which saw officers patrolling the streets of London on motorbikes together with specially-trained TPaC (Tactical Pursuit and Containment) drivers. They also seized a knife, a machete and ten stolen mopeds - some of which had false number plates. They also made seven arrests for a variety of offences included failing to stop for police, theft of motor vehicles, drug offences, robbery, possession of a bladed article and various traffic offences including not having insurance. Robberies can take place in a matter of seconds with thieves using mopeds – and increasingly e-scooters and e-bikes– to snatch phones, wallets and bags without stopping. Thieves tend to target members of the public who have their mobile phones in their hand or have placed valuable goods on a table whilst sat outdoors. This type of offending has recently led the Met to launch a dedicated campaign encouraging those on the streets of London to ‘look up and look out’ and be aware of their surroundings. Fleet St Solicitors Police Sergeant Clem Jones of the Operation Venice team said: “We want to ensure thieves don’t exploit the end of lockdown and the return to normality by targeting those living, visiting or working in London. We aimed to disrupt their activities and catch them in the act. “We all tend to do so much on our mobiles and many of us use them for directions when out and about – this is when thieves spot us and target us. We often have other valuable items, such as headphones, on the go too. All of these things can attract opportunist thieves. "We are urging people to work with us to reduce this crime type by being extra vigilant and being aware of their surroundings. Please look up and look out when you are out and about. “If you are unlucky enough to fall victim to thieves please report it to police immediately by dialling 999 - this gives us a chance to catch the suspects while they are still in the area. We often receive reports when the victim has returned home which is usually too late for us to conduct a search for the suspects." Anyone who witnesses a crime taking place should dial 999, for non emergencies please dial 101 or Tweet @MetCC.
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Detectives have launched a murder investigation following the death of a man in Newham.
Police were called at 01:41hrs on Friday, 6 August to reports of a stabbing in Henniker Road, E15. Officers attended along with London Ambulance Service and found two men with stab injuries. A 23-year-old man had suffered a stab wound to his neck and was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. A 19-year-old man was taken to an east London hospital where his condition was assessed as non-life-threatening. Detectives from the Met's Specialist Crime Command are leading the investigation and a crime scene remains in place. No arrests have been made. Knife Crime Prevention Orders Detective Chief Inspector Perry Benton, leading the investigation, said: "We remain in the early stages of the investigation and my dedicated team of officers are carrying out urgent enquiries to piece together the tragic events which led to a young man losing his life. "Officers will remain in the area throughout the day carrying out house-to-house enquiries and identifying CCTV opportunities. We have already spoken to a number of witnesses and I would ask anybody with information who we haven't yet heard from to contact us immediately." what is the difference between manslaughter and murder Chief Superintendent Richard Tucker, responsible for local policing in Newham and Waltham Forest, said: "My thoughts are with the victim's family and friends and I would like to offer them my sincere condolences as they come to terms with their loss. "I understand the concern this incident will cause within the community and I would like to reassure the public that tackling violence is the Met's number one priority. Too many lives have been lost because of knife crime and we remain committed to removing weapons from the streets of London and catching those responsible. "We cannot do this alone and we need your support. I would urge anyone with information about criminal activity to report it to police or anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers." Anyone with information about what happened is asked to call the incident room on 020 8345 1570. Alternatively, call 101 quoting CAD 516/06AUG. To remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. + Hard calls save lives. Are you close to someone on the fringes of knife crime? Do the right thing, please give information, 100 per cent anonymously, through the independent charity Crimestoppers. No piece of information about knife crime is insignificant or too small. Any information you give to Crimestoppers can make a difference in reducing knife crime and the harm it causes to families. Crimestoppers never ask your name and they cannot trace your call, your IP address or the device you use. Fill in their quick online form or call 0800 555 111. It could save a life. source |