An Albanian, who stabbed his sister’s black boyfriend to death after discovering their relationship, now faces 14 years in a top-security prison after being captured in Kosovo.
Gerald Mitre aka Aldo Aliaj, 25, (pic.top) killed 24 year-old Aaron Stokes (pic.bottom) in the Centrepoint Hostel, New Cross, South-East London on January 2, 2006.
The victim, who lived in the hostel where Mitre’s sister also resided suffered a fatal stab wound to the chest and the defendant fled before police arrived.
Mitre’s sister lied to officers, telling them an unknown intruder had stabbed Aaron and later confessed to the murder herself.
She was charged with murder and perverting the course of justice, but on the eve of her trial confessed it was her brother who killed Aaron.
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Service's Homicide and Serious Crime Command launched a national manhunt to find Mitre, but by early 2007 intelligence suggested he had fled to Albania.
Albania accepted jurisdiction of the case and in June 2009 three Albanian Judges, a prosecutor and a defence lawyer appointed by the court on behalf of Gerald Mitre flew to London to take evidence from witnesses.
The hearings took place over a two day period at a specially constituted court presided over by a British District Judge.
After the hearing in the UK the Albanian judges returned to Albania to conclude the trial.
In January last year the parents of Aaron flew to Albania to hear the court find Mitre guilty of murder and sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment.
Mitre was arrested in Kosovo on December 29, last year and currently awaits extradition to Albania.
Detective Inspector Nick Sumner, who led the murder investigation, said: “I am pleased for Aaron’s family, they have displayed great patience, dignity and understanding in their wait to achieve justice for the senseless murder of their son.
“As Mitre awaits extradition to Albania to serve his sentence they are even closer to getting the justice they deserve.
“Whilst Mitre managed to flee the UK, he could not escape British law.
“The Metropolitan Police Service and Crown Prosecution Service in partnership with the Albanian authorities made sure of that.”
Reviewing Lawyer, Lorna Heger of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “This case is a very good example of different countries working together in the spirit of international cooperation.
“I am very grateful to the Albanian judicial authorities for their assistance. I am also very pleased for Aaron’s family that the person responsible for the murder of their son has been brought to account.”
No comments:
Post a Comment