The morning case file
London Crime Briefing
Significant incidents, hearings, outcomes and public-data changes across the capital.
Topic
domesticabuse
17 stories, newest first.
- Latest
Man jailed for stabbing aunt over funeral plans
Zachary Fitch has been sentenced to 13 months' imprisonment for stabbing his aunt in the face during an argument about funeral arrangements. The incident occurred outside his Prospect Vale home on March 20, and Fitch was released immediately upon sentencing.
3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 65 · Hype 41 
LatestDomestic abuse rises in England and Wales
The proportion of adults in England and Wales experiencing domestic abuse has risen significantly, according to new survey data from the Office for National Statistics. The increase is primarily driven by a rise in partner abuse.
2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 53 · Hype 41- Community Safety · Islington
Islington strangulation service sees 288 referrals
A specialist health service in Islington for victims of non-fatal strangulation has received 288 referrals. The multi-agency clinical service, launched in July, aims to detect health issues resulting from the abuse.
Islington3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 71 · Hype 45 - Courts · Croydon
Croydon man convicted of murdering partner Sarah Reynolds
Earlston Bennett, 58, has been convicted of murdering Sarah Reynolds and controlling and coercive behaviour. Ms Reynolds died from blunt force trauma to the head and torso. Bennett is due to be sentenced on December 4.
Croydon3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 65 · Hype 41 
LatestAll domestic abuse victims to get liaison officer nationwide
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is making its Universal Service for victims and Enhanced Service for survivors of domestic abuse permanent nationwide. This means all domestic abuse victims will receive a dedicated victim liaison officer, a service previously limited to victims of rape and sexual offences.
3 min readTrust 30 · Craft 45 · Hype 20- 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 · London
Woman on trial for murder after partner found dead at Elephant and Castle home
A woman is on trial at the Old Bailey accused of murdering her Citibank banker partner. Joanna Cierpka, 51, admits killing Henrik Slotsaa, 52, at their Elephant and Castle home on March 15, 2026, but claims diminished responsibility due to severe depression.
London4 min readTrust 60 · Craft 77 · Hype 45 
Community Safety · City of LondonInsurance industry launches guides to help abuse victims
The Association of British Insurers has released new guidance for insurance firms to better support customers and employees experiencing economic and domestic abuse. The guides were developed with charities to address how financial products can be manipulated by perpetrators.
City of London4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 67 · Hype 25
Community Safety · EnfieldEnfield Council ordered to pay £1,500 over domestic abuse survivor's relocation delay
Enfield Council has been ordered to pay £1,500 to a domestic abuse survivor after an eight-month delay in relocating her and her children. The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman ruled the council's failure caused significant distress and injustice.
Enfield3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 75 · Hype 20
Courts · City of LondonMayor criticises courts for punishing domestic abuse victims
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has criticised fast-track courts for convicting domestic violence victims over unpaid household bills. He stated that women are being prosecuted for minor debts due to controlling partners or fleeing abuse, calling for urgent reform of the Single Justice Procedure.
City of London4 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Community Safety · HaveringGovernment wildfire alert risked exposing domestic abuse survivors in Barnet
A national emergency alert warning of wildfire risks on 14 August 2026 triggered loud alarms on hidden phones used by domestic abuse survivors, charities say. Women’s Aid and Hourglass criticised the lack of prior consultation, while the government defended the alert as necessary amid 43 UK wildfires that day.
Havering4 min readTrust 56 · Craft 95 · Hype 15
Violent Crime · BarnetSimon Levy jailed for life after Barnet double murder while on bail
Simon Levy, 40, received a whole-life sentence for murdering Carmenza Valencia Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins in 2025. The Met Police released him on bail before the second killing, prompting criticism from Solace Women’s Aid and a pledge to reform handling of repeat offenders.
Barnet5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 95 · Hype 18
Violent Crime · LondonTravelodge changes policy after abuser given key to victim's London room
Travelodge has altered its room access policy after a receptionist at its Barnet hotel handed a key to a domestic abuser, who then kicked the victim’s door off its hinges. The incident, in October 2025, prompted an independent review and retraining of staff across the chain.
London5 min readTrust 48 · Craft 95 · Hype 30
Courts · BexleySeyhan Assaf denies manslaughter after inquest rules partner's death suicide
Seyhan Assaf, 45, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter at the Old Bailey on Thursday. An inquest ruled Gillian Morand’s death a suicide. Assaf also denies GBH and coercive control charges. He remains in custody ahead of a March 2027 trial.
Bexley4 min readTrust 36 · Craft 52 · Hype 30- Violent Crime · Ealing
Alvin Gitahi convicted of murdering partner Vivienne Baraka in Ealing
Alvin Gitahi has been found guilty of murdering Vivienne Baraka, 35, at their Ealing home in March 2024. Police evidence included messages showing repeated abuse. Gitahi will be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court in October 2026. Baraka’s family called the verdict justice for their loss.
Ealing5 min readTrust 56 · Craft 80 · Hype 30 - Latest
Harrison Simpson jailed for life after Cleveland Police fail to arrest him before toddler's murder
Harrison Simpson was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 28 years and six months for the murder and sexual assault of his girlfriend’s two-year-old daughter, Isabelle Welsh. Cleveland Police admitted failing to execute an arrest warrant issued 18 months before her death.
5 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 70