Dubai chef's killer found guilty after dropping sunglasses at murder scene
A man has been found guilty of murdering a Dubai chef after he was identified via DNA found on a pair of sunglasses he dropped at the crime scene near London's Notting Hill Carnival. Omar Wilson, 32, repeatedly punched and kicked Mussie Imnetu outside the Dr Power restaurant in Queensway, west London, on August 26. Mr Imnetu, 41, who had worked under celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing, died later in hospital. As nearby police moved to help Mr Imnetu, Wilson walked away from the crime scene, having dropped his sunglasses and keys at the scene. Officers were able to recover his DNA from the sunglasses, and the keys fit his house and car. Analysis of his phone usage placed Wilson in the area of Queensway at the time of the murder. The investigators were also able to piece together a puzzle of CCTV footage which showed the attack and Wilson's subsequent journey to a nightclub. Scotland Yard Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, who led the investigation, said: "Our thoughts very much remain with Mussie's family and friends in Dubai, Sweden and London, who had to relive the last traumatic moments of his life during the trial after Wilson refused to take responsibility for his actions. "Mussie was a loving husband, father, son and a respected chef. He was in London for a few days to help train his colleagues and went out that evening to enjoy the post-Notting Hill Carnival atmosphere, where tragically he was violently assaulted." Prosecutor Jacob Hallam KC said Wilson struck his victim 'more than a dozen times' and that "at the end of that altercation, Mr Imnetu was dying on the ground and the defendant left and went clubbing in the Ministry of Sound". Mr Imnetu, who worked at The Arts Club in Dubai, a private member's establishment, was taken to hospital and died four days later without regaining consciousness, jurors heard. Following his arrest on August 28, Wilson claimed he had struck Mr Imnetu in "self-defence", and alleged the victim was behaving erratically, harassing women, and had a bottle. Wilson claimed he hit Mr Imnetu because he felt "trapped" and "scared" and believed that the chef was holding a smashed bottle, although that turned out not to be the case. Samantha Yelland, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Omar Wilson's savage violence ultimately took the life of a much-loved man, and the Crown Prosecution Service was determined that he should face justice. "The evidence in this case was overwhelming, with high-quality CCTV footage showing Wilson attacking the victim. While Wilson tried to claim his actions were in self-defence, the evidence clearly showed that he was the only person acting violently. I hope today's verdict – which will see Wilson put behind bars for the murder – provides some comfort to those who now have to live a life without Mussie."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Middle East Eye
5 days ago
- Middle East Eye
Washington Post update on Gaza aid group killings article sparks online backlash
A recent correction by the Washington Post regarding its reporting on a deadly incident at a Gaza aid distribution site has ignited a firestorm of criticism and accusations of pro-Israel bias on social media. On 1 June, at least 32 Palestinians were killed and over 200 wounded after Israeli troops opened fire on civilians gathered at two US-Israeli food distribution points in Rafah and central Gaza, according to local officials and eyewitnesses. The original headline of the Post article on the deaths read: "Israeli troops kill over 30 near U.S. aid site in Gaza, health officials say". The Post shared the article on X in a post that said: "At least 31 people were killed Sunday morning in southern Gaza, according to the Strip's Health Ministry, when Israeli troops opened fire on crowds making their way to collect aid". On 3 June, the Post issued a notice on X, saying it had deleted the earlier X post and edited the article because it "didn't meet Post fairness standards". "The article failed to make clear if attributing the deaths to Israel was the position of the Gaza health ministry or a fact verified by The Post," the newspaper said. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters "The Post didn't give proper weight to Israel's denial and gave improper certitude about what was known about any Israeli role in the shootings," it added. An archived version of the article indicates that an Israeli military statement about being "currently unaware of injuries caused by" the army was included in the second paragraph. — The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) June 3, 2025 Among other changes, the newest version includes a categorical rejection of gunfire claims by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which called them "completely false". 'Obsequious apology' While some social media users welcomed the note from the Post, others accused the newspaper of reinforcing biases in western media coverage of Israel's ongoing assault on Gaza. "So we in Gaza get to be killed and then the media cannot be sure who killed us simply because Israel denied responsibility? So we are killed but no one killed us? That simple?" asked Palestinian writer and Pulizer Prize winner Mosab Abu Toha. "Why do you not ask Israel to provide videos from that site showing the world how their soldiers fired 'warning shots' in the heads and chests of starved people?" Investigative journalist Laila al-Arian said: "This correction only came because Palestinians are dehumanized and deemed untrustworthy, while the Israeli government—engaged in mass slaughter and repeatedly caught lying to the media—is taken at its word." Absolutely reprehensible journalism. There were thousands of Palestinian civilian witnesses to the massacre who could easily corroborate the report. Of course the criminal denies their crime, it should not be given 'more weight.' — eli n. (@elinachos) June 4, 2025 Several people accused the Post of "cowardice" and of "backing down" from what they said was a more accurate version of the story. "We apologize for initially telling the truth," said one user sarcastically in reponse to the newspaper's post. "The Washington Post is now reporting, about Sunday's massacre: 'While three witnesses said the gunfire came from Israeli military positions, the Israel Defense Forces denied the allegations...' And that led to the obsequious apology below," said another. So you made the rare mistake of accurately reporting, got yelled at and retracted it. Cause clearly you guys never cared about fairness and that's why you've been doing Israel's propaganda for years. — B L A K E L E Y™℠©® LLC (@_iamblakeley) June 4, 2025 Others accused the paper of capitulating to pressure from political and other figures. Some pointed to an X post from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt quoting the Washington Post's update: "We told you we'd hold the Fake News accountable." "The White House all but confirms that it pressured the 'correction' from the Washington Post," wrote one journalist. The White House all but confirms that it pressured the "correction" from the Washington Post. If you are at the Post and know what happened, I'm on Signal at harb.12 — Ali Harb (@Harbpeace) June 3, 2025 Others pointed to a recent post from pro-Israel billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman calling on Jeff Bezos, the owner of the Washington Post, to investigate what he said was the publication of a "false story", prompting further accusations of bowing to pressure. I had to read this 3 times to make sure it wasn't a parody account. Nope. Just a formerly reputable publication bowing to institutional pressure, in an embarrassingly ineloquent manner I would add. Stumbling over words left, right( and centre. — Carmen Alvarez (@maybeitscarma) June 4, 2025 The X post comes amid a string of Israeli attacks on Palestinians seeking aid at distribution points run by the newly established GHF, which the UN and aid organisations have accused of militarising humanitarian aid. Israeli gunfire has resulted in over 100 deaths and hundreds wounded since the initiative's launch, according to the Gaza-based Government Media Office. On Wednesday, Tom Fletcher, the UN's aid chief, said that recent "horrifying scenes" of Palestinians being killed by Israeli forces while trying to access food aid were the result of "deliberate choices". "The world is watching, day after day, horrifying scenes of Palestinians being shot, wounded or killed in Gaza while simply trying to eat," Fletcher said in a post on X. "This is the outcome of a series of deliberate choices that have systematically deprived two million people of the essentials they need to survive."
Khaleej Times
28-05-2025
- Khaleej Times
UK prosecutors charge Andrew Tate, brother Tristan with 21 criminal charges
British prosecutors authorised a total of 21 charges against internet personality Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan, including rape, actual bodily harm and human trafficking, the Crown Prosecution Service said on Wednesday. The CPS said it had authorised the charges before an extradition warrant was issued in 2024 to bring them back from Romania.
The National
13-05-2025
- The National
UK government must not 'wash its hands of British-born ISIS fighters'
The UK has not yet 'successfully' prosecuted former ISIS fighters war crimes committed in Syria and Iraq, despite the possible involvement of British citizens, a report has found. The terrorist group was accused of genocide by the UK government for the killing of about 5,000 Yazidis, and the kidnapping of women and children belonging to the minority group in Iraq in 2014. Yet hundreds of ISIS fighters who are believed to have 'returned' to the UK after the group was defeated by a US-led coalition in 2017 have yet to be prosecuted for their potential involvement in genocide, crimes against humanity or other war crimes, a report by the Joint Committee on Human Rights found. The report was based on two inquiries with evidence from barrister Amal Clooney, independent terrorism reviewer Jonathan Hall KC, the Met Police's counter-terrorism unit and the Crown Prosecution Service. It found police and the Crown Prosecution Service were too 'focused' on bringing former ISIS fighters to justice on terrorism charges, causing them to overlook potential war crimes investigations. The UK was also constrained by its own war crime laws, namely the International Criminal Court Act 2001, which meant it could prosecute only crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes suspected of being committed by British citizens or residents. Committee chairman Lord David Alton accused the government of trying to 'simply wash its hands' of issue of foreign ISIS fighters because the group carried out its atrocities overseas. It was 'unacceptable' that no successful prosecutions had yet taken place, he added. 'We know that British nationals committed the most horrendous crimes in Iraq and Syria under the Daesh regime and we have a duty to see them brought to justice,' he said. 'We want to see more action from the government in identifying the perpetrators, some of whom may have returned to Britain, others likely detained in camps in Syria. This will require better co-ordination from law enforcement and criminal justice, and also the removal of barriers preventing some prosecutions." The committee has called for the ICC Act to be amended through the Crime and Policing Bill, which is currently being debated by Parliament. The inquiry also examined the issues of British ISIS fighters who have been detained since 2017 in north-eastern Syria, often with family members. It called for "greater transparency" in the UK's policy of stripping British ISIS members of their citizenship. Shamima Begum, who travelled to ISIS-held territory a decade ago, aged 15, is the most famous example of the state's use of this power. But the report said the UK "uses deprivation of citizenship orders more than almost any country in the world", and ministers must account for this. About 20 British families are believed to be detained in camps in north-east Syria, in conditions which Lord Alton described as "deplorable". Women and children account for a high number of those detained, the report said. The committee called on the government to repatriate children and minors 'where feasible as soon as possible'. 'It is in the UK's interest to ensure they do not become a new generation of the radicalised and they must be brought home," Lord Alton said. Proper identification of British citizens detained in Syria was also needed enable international war crimes prosecutions. 'The Government should step up efforts to identify British nationals currently held in camps in Syria. Where there is sufficient evidence that international crimes were committed, they should be prosecuted,' the report said. About 850 British citizens are known to have travelled to join the group, which took over large parts of Iraq and Syria. An estimated 425 British nationals who joined IS in Iraq and Syria were believed to have returned to the UK in 2017, the UK government said that year. Two British-born ISIS fighters, Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh, were stripped of their citizenship and sentenced to life in jail in the US in 2022. Aine Davis, who was part of the same ISIS cell, sentenced in the UK to eight years in jail for funding terrorism in 2023.
