Graduate Denies Helping Murderer Boyfriend Who Stabbed Cousin To Death

Megan & Mary Armstrong-Challinor

The graduate daughter of a retired academic helped shield her bad-boy murderer boyfriend from police after he stabbed his cousin to death in broad daylight, a court heard.

Former Manchester Metropolitan University student Megan Armstrong-Challinor, 27, moved Jerome Bailey, 38, into her parents’ £800,000 home while they were holidaying in Spain.

Croydon Crown Court was told he used his girlfriend’s mother’s Oyster card to travel to the murder scene and is suspected of using her dad’s old Scout knife to stab Tesfa Campell, 40, in Battersea on July 3, last year.

Bailey was convicted on January 21 of murdering Mr Campbell in Latchmere Road, Battersea on July 3, last year and is in custody awaiting sentence.

Prosecutor Mr John Price QC told the jury: “This trial concerns a third person, Bailey’s then-girlfriend Megan Armstrong-Challinor.

“The prosecution says that after the killing and knowing what Bailey has done, she helped him evade capture by the police.”

There was even evidence that Armstrong-Challinor, a graduate in film and global media, made internet searches if ‘conjugal visits’ were allowed to prisoners in the UK.

Officers raided her parents’ home in Victor Road, Teddington at 8.15am on July 7, 2019 and the defendant’s father Bruce Armstrong, 62, told the jury the first he knew about it was: “When they put the door in.”

Mr Armstrong, the retired Dean of Students at Kingston University and his wife Mary saw police arrest their daughter and Bailey and then search their home and garden.

He told the court the couple had lived in a variety of addresses during their three-year relationship, with Armstrong-Challinor holding down a variety of jobs to support the pair.

Murderer: Jerome Bailey

“It was fairly obvious he was not contributing his fair share,” said Mr Armstrong of Bailey. “That was my suspicion.”

He told the jury his daughter lied she needed to borrow the family car for a hospital emergency involving Bailey hours after the murder.

Now the director of an educational business, Mr Armstrong added: “I said if he’s being discharged from hospital he can make his own way back.

“He was a grown man and I felt she ran after him too much.”

His daughter had moved back into the family home after an ankle operation and an “incident” forcing her to leave her previous address, but on returning from Spain her parents found Bailey was also there.

Confirming he was not happy about it Mr Armstrong said: “They were looking for somewhere else to live and were due to leave in a week.”

After the arrests he phoned the police because his old Scout knife was not in its usual place.

“I noticed the knife was missing from the sheath. I used it for opening heavy parcels and packaging.”

It was later found in the kitchen. “That knife was similar to the description given by eye witnesses,” said Mr Price.

The prosecution say Bailey deliberately changed his appearance after the murder, ridding himself of his distinctive long locks.

The defendant’s mother Mary Armstrong-Challinor told the court: “It was very hot in July and I said to him it must be hot if you had your head shaved.”

She also offered him medical advice after the supposed 1.00am hospital dash. “I suggested he look after himself better and he said he had stomach problems, nothing more than that.” 

Bruce Armstrong

Mr Price told the jury the Oyster card used by the murder suspect was registered to Mrs Armstrong-Challinor at the Teddington address. 

Police attended four days after the murder. “There they found Bailey and arrested him at the home of this defendant’s parents.

“She too was in the house that morning when the police arrived and she too was arrested.

“Her involvement came in the aftermath of the killing, assisting her boyfriend to evade arrest by the police, knowing what he had done.

“In the Summer house in the back garden were two yellow plastic string bags of the same kind taken from Mr Campbell by his killer.

“Both of these were within another bag that contained a quantity of cannabis and items related to the use of cannabis.

“The Oyster card that was registered to Mrs Armstrong-Challinor and used to travel from Teddington to Clapham Junction was in one of the yellow bags. 

Armstrong-Challinor, of Victor Road, Teddington denies one count of perverting the course of justice and the trial continues.

Cross-County Trek To Harass Ex-Fellow School Pupil

Stefan Grys 

A Lincolnshire man sent an intimate picture of himself to a former fellow-school pupil and travelled halfway across the country to harass her at work while disguising himself behind a mask.

Stefan Mark Grys, 26, bombarded the woman with hundreds of facebook messages and repeatedly entered the cosmetics shop she worked in, despite being ordered to leave.

At Wimbledon Magistrates Court yesterday Grys, of Cedar Road, Stamford was placed on a twelve-month community order, which includes up to ten days rehabilitation.

He was also made subject to a an indefinite restraining order, prohibiting contact with Grace Powell-Smith and entering the SW19 Wimbledon postcode.

Grys pleaded guilty to harassing the woman, who attended the same Peterborough school as him, on June 15 at Lush, Wimbledon Bridge.

Prosecutor Ms Sudara Weerasena told the court the pair were not schoolfriends, but Grys approached her in Peterborough in 2013.

“She felt uncomfortable due to the conversation and wanted it to end and went into a shop to avoid the defendant.

“The defendant contacted her in May, this year and sent multiple facebook messages and she did not understand why because they had nothing in common.

“He sent a photo of his penis, but there was no reason for this, it was unwanted.

“It included the message: 'If you had to choose money or a big dick what would you go for?'

“He also sent another message, saying: 'I guess I felt led on.'

“She says the facebook messages were in the hundreds and she blocked him.”

On June 15 Grys suddenly appeared at her workplace.

“He attended her work address in Wimbledon,” explained Ms Weerasena. “He was wearing a large mask and a beanie hat and she did not recognise him at first.

“He was acting strangely and asked: 'Do you recognise me?' and took off the mask and hat.

“He was asked to leave, but returned and then returned for a third time.”

When the shop closed Grys was loitering outside and the victim started looking for either security guards or police to assist her to the train station.

Wimbledon Magistrates' Court

Grys shouted at her: “Grace, you need to speak to me. You owe me that.”

In her victim impact statement Ms Powell-Smith said she was “shocked” by the intimate picture, adding: “When I saw him in the shop my stomach dropped.

“I panicked and was shaking all day and have hardly slept since. I am scared he will find out where I live and feel physically sick and upset.”

During the hearing Grys made rambling comments about plagues, trade deals and economic collapse, demanding the case be transferred to an Ecclesiastical court.

The magistrates heard Grys had difficulty picking up on the fact his attention was unwanted and failed to interpret the effect he was having on her.

He told the court: “I want to say I won't visit Lush or contact Grace again.”

He was also fined £40, with £85 costs and ordered to pay a £95 victim surcharge.

Drink-Drive Mum Over Three Times Limit

Wimbledon Magistrates' Court

A drunken mum-of-two, caught driving over three times the drinks limit after downing a bottle of vodka, has been banned from the roads for two-and-a-half years today.

Carla Sloman, 44, still owes £600 per month in payments for the next two years on her Audi Q5, which she is no longer allowed to drive.

The £82,000-a year IT professional, of Leigham Court Road, Streatham pleaded guilty to driving the blue two-litre vehicle in Roehampton Lane, Roehampton on August 26 with excess alcohol in her breath.

Her reading was 128 microgrammes. The legal limit is 35.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard she consumed the bottle of vodka over a couple of hours driving around the Roehampton area and ended up sleeping in the car.

“She was at rock bottom and that's how she feels today,” her lawyer told the court. 

“She has always used alcohol as a prop. She is a high-achieving lady, with a career, which she has held down while juggling family commitments.”

Sloman pays private school fees and owes a relative £40,000. 

Despite her husband earning £145,000 the court heard the couple have sunk much of their savings into renovating their home.

“They are not particularly flash, they have no savings,” added the lawyer.

The magistrate told Sloman: “You are obviously remorseful and have entered a guilty plea. It was a very high reading.

“There is always a high possibility people can be killed by drink drivers.”

Sloman was placed on a twelve-month Community Order, which includes 150 hours unpaid community service, plus up to 25 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement.

She was disqualified from driving for 30 months and must pay £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

Wash And Throw: OAP Floored In Launderette

Police are hunting this suspected thug, after a 78 year-old man was thrown to the floor in a north-west London launderette – suffering four broken ribs.

The OAP was suddenly attacked without warning when a man burst into the Harlesden launderette in Mordaunt Road and violently pushed him against one of the machines.

Detectives have released this CCTV image as they continue trying to identify the man suspected of the June 6 assault at 11.30am.

The sudden attack took place after the mystery man violently pushed open the door of the launderette and marched over to the retired welder, ripping his t-shirt and pushing him.

The pensioner fell hard onto the floor, suffering the four broken ribs, and the suspect ran away from the scene.

In a bizarre turn of events, the attacker returned shortly afterwards and kneeled down to apologise to the victim, telling him it was only a ‘joke’. 

He then attempted to give the victim £20, telling him he could use the money to finish his laundry.

The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he had to stay for a week and is still in pain months later.

Officers know the suspect arrived in a car outside the launderette with two other men, but they were not involved in this incident.

There have been no arrests to date.

Detective Constable Helen Moriarty of the North West Command Unit, who is investigating, said: "I ask people to look at the CCTV footage and see if they recognise this man, then do the right thing and contact police. 

“I believe someone out there will recognise the suspect and be able to tell us who he is. 

“This was a frightening and cowardly attack on an innocent victim and it is imperative we find the person responsible.

“The victim and his family were left terrified following the callous actions of a man who preyed on vulnerable, elderly people. 

“We are doing everything we can to find him are determined to get justice for the victim and to make sure those responsible face the consequences of their actions.

“Similarly, I ask anyone in the area at the time to please contact police orCrimestoppers and share that information with us.

Anyone who has information that could help police is asked to call 101 ref CAD 2717/05JUN20.

Alternatively tweet @MetCC or to remain 100% anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Concrete Case: Police Seize Heroin During Drug Swoop

Drugs cops found 24 kilos of heroin encased in a concrete block when they stopped a vehicle in east London.

Forty-eight packages of the Class A drug – each weighing 0.5 kilos – were seized.

During an ongoing proactive police investigation a 32 year-old suspected drug dealer was stopped by marked police vehicles in Dagenham on November 17.

The local man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and taken into police custody.

Commander Dave McLaren, from the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime Command, said: “This demonstrates the extent criminals will go to in order to conceal drugs trafficking activity from police. 

“However, we are committed to being one step ahead of these types of criminals to make sure we remove drugs from streets of London.

“Drugs supply is a driving factor in the levels of violent crime and by taking forty-eight blocks of suspected heroin out of the hands of criminals we will have made a major blow to organised drugs supply networks.”

Uzi Found In Stolen Car

This Uzi sub-machine gun – complete with silencer and ammunition – has been found in a stolen car parked in south London.

Police recovered the cache after removing the vehicle and carrying out a forensic search.

Officers from the Specialist Crime Proactive Syndicates seized the vehicle at 12.00pm on November 16 in Appach Road, Brixton Hill.

They were engaged in an operation to tackle serious violence.

The subsequent search of the vehicle found a bag containing an Uzi SMG, the silencer and the ammunition. 

The firearm will now undergo analysis.

Detective Superintendent Steve Ellen, from Specialist Crime South, said: “This is a significant recovery.

“A loaded machine gun has been taken off the streets thanks to the ongoing work of our officers tackling gang violence in the capital.

“Our investigation is in its early stages but we will be working to establish who left the firearm in the vehicle and whether it has been used in any criminality. 

“I would encourage anyone with information about violent crime to contact police or Crimestoppers.”

There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.

Trike Strike: Mum Hit By Kid's Three-Wheeler

Wimbledon Magistrates' Court

A dad threw a tricycle at his ex during a domestic row as she held one of their three children in her arms, a court heard yesterday.

Tyrone Black, 41, was ordered out of the address as he started fixing himself a sandwich and the couple began arguing.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard Black, of Bishops Grove, Hampton, previously breached a non-molestation order relating to his former partner Emma Huth.

He pleaded guilty to assaulting her at her home in Air Sea Mews, Twickenham on April 18 and bailed to return for a pre-sentence report on January 21, next year.

The court heard Ms Huth began recording him on her phone when he refused to leave and he asked her to stop.

They continued arguing back and forth by the front door and Black picked up a kid's tricycle and threw it at Ms Huth, who received a glancing blow to her arm from the handlebars.

Black left and his ex called the police several hours later.

She did not suffer any injury.

When questioned by police Black admitted throwing the trike, accepting it may have made minor contact with Ms Huth's arm.

Twelve Years For Railway Station Rapist

A rapist who struck when a lone woman became lost after a night out – attacking her in a wooded area near Catford Bridge Railway Station - has been caged for twelve years.

Danut Bulboana, 21, preyed on the woman - aged her her late 20's – after her cab dropped her off at the wrong location at 11.30pm on August 27, last year.

He was convicted at Woolwich Crown Court of two counts of rape, plus another count relating to his attempt to choke her when she screamed out.

As she tried to find her way home the victim suddenly found herself in an unfamiliar wooded area with an unknown male - later identified as Bulboana.

He raped her twice and she tried to scream, but Bulboana stifled her cries by forcing something into her mouth, choking her.

She eventually managed to get away from Bulboana and called 999.

Police attended and spoke to the victim, who then assisted the officers in trying to locate where the offence took place. 

In doing so, they were able to trace Bulboana’s location and, despite altering his appearance by changing his clothing, the woman was able to provide a positive identification and Bulboana was arrested.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police's South East Safeguarding Team launched an immediate investigation.

They were able to charge Bulboana on October 25, after forensic examinations linked him to the crime.

Detective Constable Dean Young, who led the investigation, said: “This was a brutal and extremely sinister attack in which Bulboana preyed on the vulnerability of a lone woman at night. 

“I would like to commend the sheer bravery displayed by the victim, who quickly called police after being subjected to a truly horrific ordeal. 

“Her actions resulted in a dangerous man being detained by officers within an hour of the attack, and subsequently being brought to justice.

“Sexual offences often inflict lasting trauma on victims, but I hope that Bulboana’s conviction will help the victim’s recovery process.

“This case demonstrates our commitment to removing sexual predators from the streets of London and ensuring they are brought to justice. 

“If you are a victim of sexual crime, please tell us - you will be supported and the crime fully investigated.”

Nuisance Drunk Locked-Up

A nuisance drunk – banned from drinking alcohol in public – has been jailed for eight weeks for breaching the order.

John Coffey, 45, of Old Kent Road, Southwark is subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), which prohibits him drinking in the streets of Camden and Islington and entering the King's Cross area.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court, where he was convicted of breaching the CBO and also ordered to pay £128.

Coffey was issued a CBO on August 7 2020, but on September 7, just one month later, a British Transport Police (BTP) officer was patrolling King’s Cross Square, just outside King’s Cross station.

The officer was approached by an intoxicated Coffey, who started speaking to him in a slurred manner.

His breath smelt of alcohol, and he was in possession of a half-full bottle of whisky, which he continued to drink despite being asked by the officer to stop.

The officer undertook relevant checks on Coffey, discovering the conditions of Coffey’s CBO. 

He was then arrested for being in breach of his CBO.

BTP Police Sergeant, David Underwood, said: “The conditions in Coffey’s Order were clear; he wasn’t to be in the area and certainly wasn’t to be there drinking alcohol.

“The conviction is directly linked to ‘Operation Mammoth’ – a joint operation between BTP, Metropolitan Police and Camden Council to combat anti-social behaviour caused by street population.

“BTP will continue to deal with anti-social behaviour robustly, ensuring Orders such as Coffey’s are enforced.

“The operation’s primary goal is to house and support individuals such as Coffey. 

“If members of the public are concerned about a person’s welfare, please speak to a member of staff or contact BTP.”

Suspected Drug Dealer's Secret Magnetic Stash

A suspected drug dealer was arrested after police found a secret magnetic container attached underneath his car stuffed with cannabis and cash.

Police on routine patrol stopped the suspect vehicle in Coombe Lane West, Kingston-upon-Thames at 6.00pm on November 12.

The officers noticed it was being driven erratically in an attempt to avoid being pulled over.

The officers, from the Violence Suppression Unit, spoke to the driver, who was unable to provide a satisfactory account of why he was in the area.

The vehicle was searched under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a mobile phone containing drug-related messages was found. 

Underneath the vehicle was a black metal magnetic box attached to the chassis. 

Inside were eleven bags of cannabis and £150 in cash.

The driver, aged 22, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cannabis. 

He was held in custody while the investigation continued.

Detective Inspector Alison Foxwell, from the Violence Suppression Unit said:“This incident shows the value of vehicle stops to disrupt drugs and associated violence. 

“Our officers are working hard to track down and arrest the right people and stopping vehicles enables us to do this.

“This man thought he could evade prosecution by hiding the drugs underneath he car, but the team conducted a thorough search and easily found the magnetic hide.” 

City Insurance Executive Throttled Girlfriend On Doorstep

Doorway Struggle: Burnell

The “absolutely petrified” partner of a Lloyd’s insurance executive was lifted onto her tiptoes when he grabbed her throat during a violent row in the doorway of his £1.6m apartment, a court heard today.

Head of Marine & Energy Liability Howard James Burnell, 62, inflicted bruising to the throat and thigh of girlfriend Mary Phillips when they rowed after a dinner-date.

Her leg was slammed in the doorway of his flat in Little Green, Richmond on March 14 and pictures of the injuries were shown during the trial at Wimbledon Magistrates Court.

Burnell, a company officer with Bishopsgate-based insurance giants Apollo, was convicted of assaulting Ms Phillips and was bailed until sentencing on January 28, next year.

She told the trial the pair enjoyed a restaurant meal earlier that evening. “We shared one bottle of wine, but Mr. Burnell likes his alcohol so it could have been two.”

While travelling home the couple rowed, with Burnell telling his partner of seven years: “You have crossed the line”.

He stormed off ahead, shutting Ms Phillips out of their shared home, which he owns. “He positioned himself in the doorway,” she told the court from behind a screen.

“He said: ‘You insulted my parents,’ and was very aggressive, more than usual.

“He was red, his eyes were evil-looking. The hatred.

“I tried to push him and thought if I could get in I could defuse the situation, but he was quite adamant that I was not coming in.

“His hand came up and grabbed my throat and I was lifted up on to my tiptoes and was in sheer fear.

“I thought he was going to headbutt me. I was absolutely petrified.

“He also used the door to bar my way and that bruised all of my leg and the bruise was under my jaw for a week and my neck was painful.”

"Absolutely Petrified": Mary Phillips

Burnell denied throttling his ex-partner, suggesting she may have sustained injuries as she tried to barge her way into the flat against his wishes.

“I said I did not want her to come in and she tried to force her way in,” he told the court. “She was putting her leg in and trying to push me back, it was a bit off a stand-off.

“I held her back when she was pushing herself in. I assume the bruising to her leg was caused by the door.

“She was trying to knock my arm and as she was pushing she pushed against my hand, which rode up to her jaw, I think.”

Eventually Burnell allowed Mary in on condition she took a cab to her daughter’s home in Elephant and Castle.

District Judge Andrew Sweet announced: “She lived there for six to seven years. It was her home too.

“She said she was lifted up by her throat and her leg was bruised by the door being pushed against it.

“She found herself in a situation where she was being prevented from accessing where she lived and I accept she was assaulted by Mr. Burnell by grabbing her throat and pushing the door.”

Bailing Burnell for an “all options” pre-sentence report the judge added: “To try to exclude her from somewhere she lived for six to seven years is something I am entitled to take into account.

“I need a report so I can decide how to sentence.”

Midnight Stabbing: Do You Know This Suspect?

Police hunting a knifeman, wanted for a “shocking act of violence” outside a south-east London pub, have released this CCTV image of their suspect.

He is being hunted after a 39 year-old man suffered multiple stab wounds just before midnight outside the Brockley Barge, Brockley Road on March 10.

Police and the London Ambulance Service attended and the victim was taken to a south London hospital, where he underwent surgery.

An investigation was immediately launched by the local CID. 

No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.

Detective Constable Natalie Parker, from the South East BCU CID, said: “This was a shocking act of violence that could have cost a man’s life, and we are committed to bringing those responsible to justice.

“We are appealing for witnesses and information to assist our enquiries. 

“If you are unsure as to whether something that you saw might be significant, we urge you to come forward and report it. 

“You could aid our investigation and prevent opportunity for further violence on the streets of London.

“If you recognise the man pictured, please get in touch. 

“We would like to speak to him in relation to the incident. You can call us or make contact with Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting reference Cad 9112/10Mar20 or tweet @MetCC.

Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Path Wars: Neighbour Accepts Restraining Order

Order: Ruby Virk

A warring neighbour received a restraining order today, but continues claiming the next-door couple are trespassing on her land when walking to their own front door.

Ruby Virk, 52, was due to stand trial, charged with harassing her neighbours, but the charge was dropped in return for her agreeing to the three-year order in a bid to keep the peace.

Each household has to use the same pathway to access their homes, resulting in a bitter dispute and the arrest of Virk.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard Haygreen Close, Kingston-upon-Thames was the scene of complaints from each household, accusing the other of anti-social behaviour.

Virk was charged with harassing the couple between April 17, last year and January 10, this year.

She was alleged to have stared at them; kicked rubbish near their door; poured liquid near their door; blocked their pathway and posted them a letter complaining about noise when served with a harassment warning.

Virk was also accused of calling the female partner a “bitch” and telling a delivery driver a package was for “the bastards next door.”

However, Virk told the court today: “Police have not acted on my last call for loud music, which they are doing to harass me. Environmental Health have told me it is a police matter and they are harassing me.

“They are not prepared to come and investigate the noise nuisance. I am in a Catch 22 situation and am very frustrated.

“I am very frustrated, angry and upset. My deeds clearly set out my boundary, my pathway, that's my land they are walking over.

“They are not allowed to walk over my land.”

Path Dispute: Haygreen Close

The court heard the neighbours share a party wall. “Unfortunately there has been no peace between the parties,” said prosecutor Colette Hanna.

“Forty-one has a right of access to walk past this defendant's property, they have a legal right.

“Virk also accuses the male neighbour, who is a professional man, of being a drug-dealer to other people.”

There is no truth to this allegation whatsoever.

The court agreed to make the restraining order in the hope it would minimise contact between the neighbours and stop the problems.

Virk was told not to stare at her neighbours when they come and go on the shared pathway or confront them outside and to be careful in what she says about them.

Train Robber Strikes: Do You Know This Suspect?

Police hunting a train robber, who threatened a passenger, have released this CCTV image of their suspect.

British Transport Police (BTP) are investigating the robbery, which occurred between Tottenham Hale and Stratford Station, north London.

The victim says they were confronted between 7.10pm and 7.30pm on Friday, October 9.

As a result of threats from the suspect the victim handed over property.

Anyone who knows the suspect is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40.

In both cases, quote reference number 550 of 09/10/20.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.

Stubborn Tube Passenger Punched Underground Worker

A violent tube passenger, who punched a London Underground worker when asked to leave an out-of-service train, has been jailed for three years.

Stanley Oragui, 43, of Kentish Town Road, Kentish Town refused to get off the train at Cockfosters station when it reached the end of the line.

He was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court for assault; breaching two suspended prison sentences and a separate shoplifting offence.

On the evening of Sunday, April 26 staff asked stubborn Oragui to leave the depot-bound train, but he refused.

The member of staff then picked up Oragui’s Tesco shopping bag and started to walk off the train in the hope he would follow. 

Oragui then threw two punches at the member of staff, hitting him behind the ear before pulling the staff member’s phone from his top shirt pocket – ripping it – and throwing the phone onto another platform.

Oragui then exited the station and boarded a bus destined for Potters Bar. 

British Transport Police officers stopped the bus on Cockfosters Road, identified Oragui and he was arrested and charged with common assault.

A warrant was issued for his arrest after he failed to attend court, and he was arrested for a second time at the end of August.

TfL Embedded Inspector Mullah Hoque said: “This was an abhorrent andcowardly act of violence against an unsuspecting member of London Underground staff, going about their daily duties.

“There is never an excuse for behaviour of this kind, especially in response to the simple request of disembarking a train – we will not tolerate any form ofviolence on the transport network.”

Guilty: Mobility Scooter Murderer Jailed For Stabbing Pal To Death

Stabbed: John Kennett

An enraged man, who stabbed his “best mate” to death for losing his late mother’s mobility scooter, which they used to collect a pawned television, has been jailed.

Kenneth Pitcher, 51, dragged dying John Kennett, 61, into the street and pretended he was assisting him when emergency services arrived.

At Croydon Crown Court he was sentenced to life imprisonment - with a 14-year minimum - after a jury convicted him of murder.

Pitcher - high on crack cocaine - repeatedly plunged a knife into the victim at the address in Woodcroft Road, Croydon on December 23, last year.

Earlier that day the pair - with Mr. Kennett riding the mobility scooter - had gone to a local Cash Converters to collect Pitcher’s pawned television.

By the time they returned Mr. Kennett had lost the scooter and Pitcher was shouting abuse.

Prosecutor Mr. Hugh Davies QC told the trial Pitcher dragged the wounded Mr. Kennett onto the pavement at 9pm and pretended he did not know him when paramedics arrived.

Drunken Pitcher, who had smoked crack cocaine and taken methadone that night, was seen by emergency services leaning over the dying man, asking: “Mate. What’s your name?”

“He told the paramedics the patient had knocked on his door, asking for help and then had stumbled and fallen to the floor,” explained the prosecutor.

Pitcher told the paramedics the man had been stabbed and was bleeding, despite there being no visual evidence of this and when pressed, replied: “I was just trying to f***ing help. I hope he’s okay.”

Pitcher then returned inside and slammed his front door.

“He gave contradictory and false accounts of events at the scene to distance himself from what he had done,” explained Mr. Davies.

“He knew the man lying on the ground very well, a man who he later told police was his: ‘best mate’.

“Mr. Kennett had not knocked on the defendant’s door. It later became obvious he had bled heavily inside the defendant’s living room.

“He suffered multiple stab wounds, including wounds to his left thigh and chest and bruising to the right side of his face.”

Pitcher’s Polish lodger Seb Wierzchoski had witnessed him dragging Mr. Kennett outside and called 999 on the order of the defendant, the court heard.

Regarding Pitcher’s defence case Mr. Davies told the jurors. “He says it was not him. It must have been the lodger by implication.”

Earlier that day the lodger saw Pitcher and Mr. Kennett together, making plans to collect the defendant’s tv from a local pawnbroker.

“The lodger says Mr. Kennett often rode on Pitcher’s late mother’s mobility scooter, not because he was disabled, but because he was lazy.”

CCTV captured the pair travelling along London Road with the scooter and television.

“When the defendant returned home with the television and no scooter he was furious and was shouting that Mr. Kennett was a w*****,” explained the prosecutor.

“He was angry because Mr. Kennett had left the mobility scooter somewhere between Croydon town centre and the house.”

Mr. Kennett, who was a regular visitor, apologised and the pair settled down to drink and smoke crack cocaine.

Police recovered a washing-up bowl and towel covered in Mr. Kennett’s blood from a neighbour’s garden and a wet wipe inside the address contained both the deceased’s blood and Pitcher’s DNA.

Detective Inspector Garth Hall, of Specialist Crime South said: “John Kennett was killed by someone he considered a friend, someone he trusted.

“John was attacked when he was at his most vulnerable in a place where he felt safe. The attack was unprovoked and brutal.

“Our thoughts are with the family at this time. They have acted with immense decorum in what has been an emotionally charged ordeal.

“I am extremely pleased they have seen justice served.” 

Train Pervert Hunted: Bare-Chested Image Released

British Transport Police continue to hunt an east London railway pervert, who exposed and pleasured himself last summer.

This image of the bare-chested suspect, taken at West Silvertown Docklands Light Railway station, has been released.

On three separate occasions over a six day period in July last year, a man was spotted exposing and pleasuring himself at the station.

The incidents all happened between 7am and 8am, on July 26, 28 and 31.

Officers believe the man in the CCTV image may have information which could help their investigation.

If you recognise him, please contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 95 of 26/07/20.

Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.