The morning case file
London Crime Briefing
Significant incidents, hearings, outcomes and public-data changes across the capital.
Subject
Old Bailey
London Crime News has published 126 stories involving Old Bailey, from September 2026 to November 2026. Each one is scored for how well the original reporting stood up, and lists the reports it was written from.
Violent Crime · GreenwichGreenwich man charged after Woolwich shooting victim dies
A murder investigation is underway after a man shot in a car in Woolwich died in hospital. Terry Dearsley was found with a gunshot wound on Frances Street and later died. Paul Rosser-Davies has been charged.
Greenwich2 min readTrust 36 · Craft 60 · Hype 15
Courts · Richmond upon ThamesStrawberry Hill dealer jailed for life for £50 murder
A drug dealer who bragged about stabbing a university student to death following a dispute over £50 worth of MDMA has been jailed for life. Dino Donaldson must serve at least 23 years for the murder at Strawberry Hill station.
Richmond upon Thames3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 75 · Hype 45
Courts · SuttonTeenager denies planning mosque attacks in Sutton
A 14-year-old boy has denied planning extreme right-wing attacks on two mosques in Sutton. He also faces charges of racially aggravated damage to a car. A trial is scheduled for April 2027 at Kingston Crown Court.
Sutton2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 58 · Hype 41- Latest
Two cleared of Tanesha Melbourne-Blake murder after four trials
After four trials at the Old Bailey, Marcus La Croix and Michael Clarke have been cleared of murdering Tanesha Melbourne-Blake. The 17-year-old was fatally shot in Tottenham on 2 April 2018. Reporting restrictions were lifted by Judge Mark Dennis KC.
3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45 
Fraud & Cybercrime · City of LondonDrug smugglers jailed over £80m cocaine haul
Three individuals have been sentenced for their roles in a drug smuggling operation that resulted in the seizure of 780kg of cocaine, valued at over £80m. The discovery followed a report of a container break-in in Northamptonshire in November 2021.
City of London3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 71 · Hype 41
Violent Crime · Waltham ForestMother writes book on son's murder to help others grieve
Bash Kehinde has published a book detailing her grief following the fatal stabbing of her son, Josh McKay, in Leyton in July 2024. Renai Belle was jailed for life for the murder in July 2025. Ms Kehinde hopes her writing will support other families experiencing sudden loss.
Waltham Forest3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 65 · Hype 20- Courts · Hackney
Met Police call-handler denies cocaine smuggling
A Metropolitan Police call-handler from Hackney has pleaded not guilty to charges of importing cocaine and possessing criminal property. Donna'ree Bennett, 33, appeared at the Old Bailey, with her trial scheduled for August 2025.
Hackney2 min readTrust 48 · Craft 75 · Hype 32 - Latest
Jury discharged in fatal Tottenham shooting trial
A jury has been discharged after failing to reach verdicts in the trial of Michael Clarke, who faced charges of murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Tanesha Melbourne-Blake was killed in Chalgrove Road, Tottenham, in April 2018.
2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 58 · Hype 25 
LatestDriver admits killing woman and dogs in Ilford crash
Dantay Roche has admitted killing Marie Theobald and her two dogs in Ilford on December 22, 2023. Roche was driving at more than double the speed limit when the collision occurred. He fled the scene before surrendering to police.
2 min readTrust 60 · Craft 71 · Hype 41
Courts · SuttonSutton man charged over Balham fatal motorbike crash
A 53-year-old man from Wallington has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving following a collision in Balham that resulted in the death of pedestrian Seidi Abdulkhadir. The case has been sent to the Old Bailey for further proceedings.
Sutton2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 57 · Hype 15- Courts · Croydon
Man denies murder over Valentine's date remark in Croydon
Ellis Anim-Annor denies murdering Lorik Abazi, 22, and wounding another man in Croydon on 15 February. The court heard the alleged fatal row was sparked by a comment about a Valentine's Day date.
Croydon3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 60 · Hype 20 - Courts · City of London
Two men charged over alleged Iran-linked RAF Fairford plot
Mohmed Abdulkarim and Nouman Essghir appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court charged under the National Security Act 2023. They are accused of involvement in a plot allegedly directed by an Iranian state-linked handler.
City of London3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45 - Courts · Croydon
Man Accused of Murder After Fatal Bowling Alley Stabbing
Ellis Anim-Annor, 29, faces charges of murder and wounding with intent after a fatal stabbing outside a Croydon bowling alley on February 15. The prosecution alleges the incident began after a comment about the defendant's girlfriend's appearance.
Croydon3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 65 · Hype 45 - Courts · City of London
Canadian men jailed for City of London hotel stabbing
Two Canadian nationals have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a stabbing at a City of London hotel. The incident, which occurred during a drug deal, left the victim with life-threatening injuries. Police recovered drugs and cash from the scene.
City of London3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45 - Courts · City of London
Paul Ferris, convicted at Old Bailey, dies aged 62
Paul Ferris, who was convicted of arms trafficking offences at the Old Bailey in 1998, has died at the age of 62. His funeral took place in Glasgow. His life story was the basis for the film 'The Wee Man'.
City of London2 min readTrust 30 · Craft 60 · Hype 40 - Courts · City of London
Child murderer charged with attacking prison officer with boiling water
Axel Rudakubana, who is serving a life sentence for child murder, has been charged with attacking a London prison officer with boiling water. The alleged assault occurred at Belmarsh prison in south London.
City of London3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 60 · Hype 45 - Courts · London
Student jailed for 28 years for brutal West London murder
A 24-year-old man has been sentenced to 28 years in prison for the murder of Xiaoqing Ke, a mother of two, in West London. The court heard of a sustained knife attack following emotional manipulation and theft.
London3 min readTrust 70 · Craft 77 · Hype 45 
Courts · City of LondonNorwegian Teen Jailed 20 Years for UK Assassination Plot
A 19-year-old Norwegian national, Johannes Kongsnes Natland, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison at the Old Bailey for conspiracy to murder. He was arrested with firearms and ammunition hidden under his hotel bed, having received detailed instructions for an assassination plot.
City of London3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 61 · Hype 41
Courts · GreenwichTeenage hitman convicted of murder plot for Iran-backed gang
Johannes Kongsnes Natland, a 19-year-old from Norway, has been found guilty by an Old Bailey jury of conspiracy to murder. He was arrested in Huddersfield with firearms and ammunition, allegedly as part of a plot for an Iran-backed gang.
Greenwich4 min readTrust 44 · Craft 67 · Hype 45
Courts · Kensington and ChelseaDeepak Sandhu guilty of Earl's Court murder
Deepak Sandhu has been found guilty of murdering Xiaoqing Ke at the Old Bailey. He travelled from Southampton to Earl's Court on December 9, 2025, to carry out the fatal stabbing. Sandhu was arrested days later as he attempted to leave the country.
Kensington and Chelsea3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45- Latest
Baby P's mother admits manipulation in parole bid
Tracey Connelly, mother of Peter, known as Baby P, has admitted to being manipulative and opportunistic during her parole hearing. The hearing was adjourned for further assessments.
3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 77 · Hype 45 - Courts · City of London
Nine deny factory raid charges at Old Bailey
Nine individuals are on trial at the Old Bailey facing charges of criminal damage, burglary with intent, and violent disorder. They are accused of targeting Instro Precision, a company linked to Elbit Systems, in an early morning raid on June 17, 2024.
City of London4 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45 
Courts · HaringeyParole hearing resumes for Baby P mother Tracey Connelly on Tuesday
Tracey Connelly, the mother of the child known as Baby P, will face a public parole hearing on Tuesday. The Standard reports the session will be livestreamed, with the panel set to decide her future custody after a recall in August 2024.
Haringey3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 95 · Hype 28
Courts · LewishamMelbourne Thompson guilty of rape and robbery in Catford
Melbourne Thompson, 41, has been found guilty of rape and robbery following an attack on a woman in Catford. He faces sentencing on December 4 at the Old Bailey.
Lewisham3 min readTrust 66 · Craft 70 · Hype 35
Courts · BexleySidcup businessman receives no compensation for van destroyed by ULEZ bomber
A Sidcup businessman has not received any compensation for his work van and dirt bike destroyed by a bomb planted by anti-ULEZ activist Kevin Rees. Rees was jailed for 15 years for the December 2023 blast.
Bexley3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 61 · Hype 41
Courts · City of LondonKerry charged with Widdecombe murder, Farage home plot
Joshua Kerry, 28, faces charges of terrorist preparation and murder after Ann Widdecombe was killed in Devon. The court heard the incident may be connected to an alleged attempt to enter Nigel Farage's south London home.
City of London3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 77 · Hype 41
Courts · IslingtonLondon doctor faces October 2027 trial over Rwanda genocide charges
Dr Vincent Brown, a London doctor, is set to face trial in October 2027 at the Old Bailey. He is charged with one count of conduct ancillary to genocide and six offences of conduct ancillary to murder as a crime against humanity, relating to the 1994 Rwanda genocide.
Islington3 min readTrust 56 · Craft 95 · Hype 15- Courts · Westminster
Man denies murder of woman found on Old Brompton Road
Deepak Sandhu, 24, denies murdering Xiaoqing Ke, 39, who was found dead on Old Brompton Road on December 10 last year. He admits taking £500 from her and has pleaded not guilty to murder and perverting the course of justice.
Westminster3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 65 · Hype 45 - Courts · City of London
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor search warrants ruled unlawful
Search warrants used to raid two properties belonging to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in February have been declared unlawful. The former Duke of York had taken legal action against Thames Valley Police over the warrants.
City of London3 min readTrust 30 · Craft 60 · Hype 65 - Courts · Westminster
Navy sailor faces Old Bailey over security act charges
A Royal Navy sailor has appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court charged with offences under the National Security Act. Teddy Young, 24, is accused of accessing and retaining sensitive UK defence and intelligence material between November 2024 and May 2025. The case will now be heard at the Old Bailey.
Westminster3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 65 · Hype 45 
Violent Crime · LondonMan jailed for life for Tulse Hill murder days after prison release
Robert Sabat, 60, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his former partner, Dickiesha Nurse, 42, at her Tulse Hill flat. He committed the crime less than two weeks after his release from prison.
London4 min readTrust 60 · Craft 75 · Hype 45- Courts · London
Killer jailed for 17 years after Tulse Hill stabbing
Robert Sabat has been jailed for a minimum of 17 years for the murder of Dickiesha Nurse, whom he stabbed at her Tulse Hill flat. He had been released from HMP Wandsworth just one day prior to his sentencing for a previous offence.
London4 min readTrust 60 · Craft 77 · Hype 41 - Latest
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor sues police over home searches
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is pursuing legal action against Thames Valley Police, alleging personal possessions were removed during searches of his homes. A private High Court hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
3 min readTrust 30 · Craft 59 · Hype 41 
Courts · LewishamHither Green man avoids jail for racist cat row attack
Andrew Jones, 63, has been given a suspended prison sentence for a racist attack on his neighbours in Hither Green. The incident on George Lane was sparked by a dispute over cats.
Lewisham3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Courts · GreenwichGreenwich kidnapper admits sexual motive, faces prison
Omoniyi Peter has admitted to kidnapping a woman in Greenwich with sexual intent. He pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial at the Old Bailey, and sentencing has been adjourned pending a public danger report.
Greenwich2 min readTrust 30 · Craft 45 · Hype 41- Courts · City of London
Ex-City Special Constable barred after spying conviction
A former City of London Police Special Constable has been placed on the force's barred list following his conviction for spying on Hong Kong dissidents. Chi Leung 'Peter' Wai was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his crimes.
City of London3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 60 · Hype 40 
Courts · Tower HamletsMother died after falling bricks at Bow construction site
A mother-of-one died after being struck by falling bricks near a construction site in Bow. Michaela Boor suffered fatal injuries when a pallet of bricks fell from a tower crane on Burdett Road. Higgins Homes and four men deny charges related to her death.
Tower Hamlets3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 75 · Hype 45
Courts · Kensington and ChelseaMan jailed for life over Israeli embassy knife attack plot
A failed asylum seeker has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum 20-year term for planning a knife attack at London's Israeli embassy. Abdullah Albadri was tackled by armed police after jumping a fence at the Kensington site.
Kensington and Chelsea2 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Courts · Tower HamletsHiggins Homes faces manslaughter trial over Bow mother's death
Higgins Homes is on trial at the Old Bailey accused of corporate manslaughter after a mother of one, Michaela Boor, died when struck by falling bricks on Burdett Road, Bow. Four construction workers also face charges.
Tower Hamlets3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 75 · Hype 20
Courts · Tower HamletsHiggins Homes and four workers on trial over fatal brick fall
A construction company and four workers are on trial at the Old Bailey accused of causing the death of Michaela Boor, 29, who was hit by falling bricks on Burdett Road in Bow on March 27, 2018. The incident occurred while she was walking home from the school run.
Tower Hamlets3 min readTrust 48 · Craft 67 · Hype 45
Courts · NewhamWagner Group arsonist ordered to pay £164,000 to Ukraine aid victims
Dylan Earl, who was jailed for his role in a Wagner Group arson attack on a warehouse storing aid for Ukraine, has been ordered to pay more than £164,000 to victims. The fire in Leyton caused significant damage to businesses.
Newham3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 71 · Hype 41
Courts · RedbridgeTwo teenagers convicted over Gants Hill restaurant arson
Two 17-year-old boys have been convicted of arson with intent to endanger life after a "professionally planned" attack on the Indian Aroma restaurant in Gants Hill. Masked assailants doused customers in petrol before setting the room alight, causing severe, life-changing injuries.
Redbridge3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 60 · Hype 45
Courts · BexleyMan jailed for 16 years over ULEZ camera bomb
A 64-year-old man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for detonating a homemade explosive device next to an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) camera in Sidcup. The blast caused damage to a nearby car and a child's bedroom window.
Bexley3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 77 · Hype 45
Courts · Waltham ForestDriver jailed 12 years for fatal Walthamstow crash
Blerim Manallari has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for causing death by dangerous driving after a high-speed collision in Walthamstow. The crash on 24 March 2024 killed 20-year-old Abdul Hasseeb Akram and left two teenage passengers with serious injuries. Manallari was driving at approximately 62mph in a 20mph zone when he collided head-on with another vehicle.
Waltham Forest3 min readTrust 64 · Craft 79 · Hype 30
Courts · HaringeyWoman gets suspended sentence for Wood Green bank knife threat and assault
Annette Johnson, 65, has been given a suspended prison sentence after pulling a knife in a Wood Green bank and throwing a hot drink at a police officer. The incidents occurred on January 27 and 28.
Haringey3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 67 · Hype 41
Courts · HackneyBurglar jailed 18 years for killing pensioner
A prolific burglar has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for killing an 86-year-old man in his Hackney home. Ashley Malcolm headbutted John Burke during a burglary in September 2025, leading to the pensioner's death from a fractured nose and intercranial bleeding.
Hackney4 min readTrust 60 · Craft 70 · Hype 45
Courts · HackneyHackney man jailed 18 years for manslaughter of 86-year-old John Burke
Ashley Malcolm has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for the manslaughter of 86-year-old John Burke. Malcolm broke into Mr Burke's Hackney home, assaulted him, and ransacked his bedroom, leading to the great-grandfather's death days later.
Hackney2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 67 · Hype 41
LatestWimbledon man denies murder after body found in Kent
Jamie Cooper, 27, of Kingfisher Court, Wimbledon, has denied murdering Dale Mundell. A body was found in a suitcase in Borstal, Kent, following a Metropolitan Police investigation. Joshua Miller, 33, also of Kingfisher Court, faces murder and perverting the course of justice charges.
2 min readTrust 68 · Craft 75 · Hype 45
Courts · WestminsterMan accused of 'brutal revenge' Airbnb murder
A man is on trial accused of murdering Xiaoqing Ke in her London Airbnb, with prosecutors alleging he sought "brutal and fatal revenge" after she confronted him about stealing £500 and called him a liar. Deepak Sandhu denies murder.
Westminster4 min readTrust 60 · Craft 70 · Hype 45
Courts · LewishamMan found guilty of Deptford murder 20 years after attack
Jordan Burton has been found guilty of murder for an attack in Deptford in 2006. The victim, Daniel Allright, died in March 2022 from post-traumatic epilepsy, 15 years after the assault. Burton, who was 14 at the time, was convicted at the Old Bailey on September 29.
Lewisham3 min readTrust 30 · Craft 70 · Hype 40
Courts · LewishamJordan Burton guilty of murder over 2006 Lewisham attack
Jordan Burton, 33, has been found guilty of murder at the Old Bailey. The conviction follows a 2006 attack in Lewisham where Daniel Allright suffered a head injury. Mr Allright died in March 2022 from epilepsy linked to the assault.
Lewisham2 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Courts · WestminsterMan denies murder of woman in Earl's Court Airbnb
Deepak Sandhu, 24, is on trial at the Old Bailey accused of murdering Xiaoqing Ke, 39. Ms Ke was found dead in a bedsit on Old Brompton Road on December 10 last year after discovering Sandhu had stolen £500 from her.
Westminster4 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Courts · NewhamNewham man jailed for 22 years for strangling mother
Richard Clayton has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 22 years for the murder of his mother, Angela Clayton, in Newham. He strangled her at their home on February 17, then took money from her account and made multiple calls to a sex line.
Newham5 min readTrust 60 · Craft 70 · Hype 45
LatestGolders Green stabbing suspect denies three attempted murders
A 45-year-old man has denied three charges of attempted murder at the Old Bailey. Essa Suleiman is accused of stabbing two men in Golders Green and another in Southwark.
2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 65 · Hype 41
Violent Crime · HackneyHackney gang boss jailed for life over Dalston restaurant shooting
Hackney gang leader Beytullah Gunduz has been sentenced to life imprisonment for orchestrating a shooting outside a Dalston restaurant. The victim, Onur Guzel, suffered life-altering injuries after being targeted following threats and attempted extortion.
Hackney4 min readTrust 60 · Craft 75 · Hype 45- Courts · City of London
Woman admits killing banker boyfriend after finding texts
Joanna Cierpka has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility after her City banker boyfriend Henrik Slotsaa was found dead at their Elephant and Castle home.
City of London4 min readTrust 40 · Craft 60 · Hype 45 
Courts · SouthwarkWoman stabbed banker after he told her to 'kill yourself'
An unemployed business executive is on trial for the fatal stabbing of her banker boyfriend. Joanna Cierpka claims Henrik Slotsaa told her to 'kill yourself already, you freak' before she fatally wounded him. His body was found at their south London home.
Southwark4 min readTrust 48 · Craft 67 · Hype 45- Courts · City of London
Inmates deny trying to murder Urfan Sharif at HMP Belmarsh
Two inmates, Steven Sansom and Adam Watson, have denied attempting to murder Urfan Sharif, the father of murdered schoolgirl Sara Sharif, at HMP Belmarsh. They also denied wounding Sharif with intent and possessing offensive weapons. A trial is set for July 2025.
City of London3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 60 · Hype 41 
Courts · IslingtonSab Cox cleared of rape in Islington
Sab Cox, 26, was acquitted of rape by a jury at the Old Bailey on Tuesday. Cox had travelled from Birmingham to meet a nonbinary person in Islington and maintained the sex was consensual.
Islington3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 53 · Hype 41- Courts · City of London
Inmates deny attempting to murder Sara Sharif's father in Belmarsh prison
Steven Sansom and Adam Watson, both inmates at HMP Belmarsh, have denied attempting to murder Urfan Sharif on New Year's Day 2025. The pair also pleaded not guilty to wounding Sharif with intent and possessing makeshift weapons in prison.
City of London3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 65 · Hype 41