Hainault trial sentencing as it happened: Marcus Monzo jailed to life for sword attack that killed Daniel Anjorin, 14

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5 hours ago

We're ending our live coverage
That's all from us at the Old Bailey, where Marcus Monzo was sentenced to life behind bars.
He will only get his first chance at parole in 38 years and 309 days.
The 37-year-old was found guilty of murdering Daniel Anjorin, 14, and the attempted murder of three others during a 20-minute rampage with a samurai sword in Hainault on 30 April last year.
To catch up on today's key developments, browse through the key points above - or scroll through this quick recap: Monzo was told by the judge "you must have known he was a boy" before he swung his sword at Daniel - sentencing him to at least 40 years in total, minus time already served on remand;
Daniel's family - in a statement read by his father - said no family should endure what they have, but added they will honour his life "though the love and happiness" he brought;
Monzo was "clearly psychotic", the judge said, as he praised the courage of police officers who approached him that day;
He did show "some remorse" in a letter written for the judge, while his defence team said he would "turn back the clock" if he could;
But survivors of his attack called for justice in their victim impact statements, detailing severe physical and emotional harm from Monzo's sword attack.
Watch below: The moment Monzo is jailed for life
'We carry Daniel's light even in this dark time', says Anjorin family
Daniel Anjorin was taken from his loved ones in a way "no family should have to endure", his father says.
Dr Ebenezer Anjorin tells reporters his son had "so much potential ahead".
"He was gifted academically, was kind and had a generous spirit that touched everyone who knew him," he adds.
"We carry that light with us even in this dark time."
Speaking briefly alongside Daniel's mum, Grace Anjorin, he also says they "honour Daniel's memory".
"Not in the shadow of this tragedy," he adds.
"But through the love and happiness he brought to us, and to all those who knew him. Thank you."
Daniel Anjorin's father giving statement for family now
Dr Ebenezer Anjorin, Daniel's dad, is now giving a statement to the media outside court.
He's speaking on behalf of the family, after his son's killer Marcus Monzo was sentenced to life in prison.
Watch in the live stream at the top of this page - we'll also provide text updates here.
Watch: How the sword attack murder unfolded
Marcus Arduini Monzo murdered 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin and attacked five others.
Here's how that morning unfolded, from crashing a van into a pedestrian to his eventual arrest.
As we've just been reporting, he will now spend a minimum of nearly 39 years in prison.
Warning: This footage includes disturbing scenes
Judge: Daniel's father showed composure that most of us would find impossible
The judge said Daniel Anjorin's father's witness statement (see 12.57 post) was "a hard read, so heartbreaking are its contents".
Mr Justice Bennathan continued: "Daniel was a clever boy. He was gifted musically, and played a variety of sports well. He was a happy child, and his loss is obviously devastating to his parents, and his brother and sister, and his grandparents."
He also praised the conduct of Daniel's father, Dr Ebenezer Anjorin, throughout the trial.
He said he acted in a "calm, dignified manner" and showed "a composure that most of us would find impossible".
"I am very conscious that no sentence I pass can even begin to temper Daniel's family's grief," he said just before handing down his sentence.
Judge said Monzo was 'clearly psychotic' and praised police courage
Just before he passed his sentence, the judge told Marcus Monzo he was "clearly psychotic" during the attack.
"You choosing to consume cannabis was the dominant cause of the state you were in that day. You knew it made you paranoid and could lead to panic attacks," he said.
He said PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield - who he seriously injured with several "savage blows" - acted "totally fearlessly" to try to stop him hurting others.
He said PC Cameron King, who had been with PC Mechem-Whitfield when she was stabbed, placed himself between her and the attacker, "probably saving her life".
He added that Inspector Moloy Campbell - one of the other first responding officers - showed "great bravery and leadership, tried to disarm or subdue you with his baton, only to be caught by a powerful swing of your sword, leaving him with a deep chopping wound to his right hand".
"Soon afterwards, you were stopped and detained by a number of police officers using tasers that finally brought you under control," he added.
He said all officers at the scene "behaved with exemplary courage and put their lives on the line to try to protect the public" and should be "proud".
Video shows 'extraordinary bravery' of officers confronting Monzo
In his sentencing remarks moments ago, the judge praised officers who responded with "exemplary courage" to the attack last year and confronted Marcus Monzo.
The Metropolitan Police commissioner echoed that message before today's sentencing, hailing "extraordinary bravery".
Sir Mark Rowley praised their "relentless courage" in a statement shared alongside a video of the moment officers approached Monzo.
It shows them chasing after him, before one officer is attacked while another shouts, "police officer stabbed".
Other officers are seen confronting Monzo, before it shows him being put in handcuffs.
"Many will remember the events that unfolded in Hainault in April last year and the shock waves that they sent through communities," Sir Mark said.
"The two elements of this case which drew such attention were, of course, the horrendous killing of Daniel, but second to that, the most extraordinary bravery of our officers who responded that day."
Watch the police force's video below
Life-changing injuries
Police on the scene were "desperate to protect the community", Sir Mark said, and ran "towards an erratic and violent man" who had just killed a young child and injured others.
PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield was hit with "extreme force" three times with the 60cm long blade as she chased Monzo through alleyways and residential properties.
Inspector Moloy Campbell tried to detain Monzo in a car park - he suffered a slash wound to his hand.
Sir Mark said two officers received "life-changing injuries".
"And despite seeing their colleagues suffer those injuries, additional officers, without hesitation, continued to pursue the suspect, using every tactic available to stop this rampage," he added.
Monzo jailed for life
Marcus Monzo has been sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 40 years.
Mr Justice Bennathan told him, including time he has already served, he will be in prison for 38 years and 309 days before he is eligible for parole.
"Mr Monzo can go to jail," the judge says.
It is possible he will never be released.
After that time, he may be eligible for parole, but much will depend on his behaviour and remorse until then.
He will be at least 75 at that point.
You must have known he was a child, judge tells Monzo
The judge describes a "peaceful" setting before the attack on 30 April last year.
He tells Marcus Monzo - who is in court wearing a bright green hooded top and light grey sweatpants - he caused a "devastating" scene.
Monzo killed a "clever, talented, much-loved" young boy - Daniel Anjorin, 14 - with a "savage blow" of a sword.
"You, Marcus Monzo, did all of that," he says.
He says Monzo drove to Hainault in a "clearly psychotic state", and first tried to murder pedestrian Donato Iwule.
"You then must have seen Daniel Anjorin," he says.
"You must have known he was a child, a schoolboy. You came up behind him and struck him in the neck."
The judge also pays tribute to a heroic passerby, Nathan Hutchinson, who tried to help Daniel, before he was "forced back" by Monzo.
Judge now delivering sentencing remarks
The judge is now in place and has started to give his sentencing remarks, which you can watch live in the stream at the top of this page.
He will soon reveal Marcus Monzo's jail time - stay with us for updates.