Latest news with #Imnetu
BBC News
28-02-2025
- BBC News
Mussie Imnetu murder: Chef's killer Omar Wilson jailed for life
A man who attacked an acclaimed chef near the Notting Hill Carnival and left him dying in the street has been jailed for worker Omar Wilson, 31, punched and kicked Mussie Imnetu during a row outside a restaurant in Queensway, west London, on 26 August last Imnetu, 41, who had worked under chefs including Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing, was said to have been "heavily intoxicated" at the time of the attack and died in hospital four days the defendant at the Old Bailey to a minimum prison term of 18 years, Judge Philip Katz said: "You could not control your temper... you could have walked away." 'Brazen conduct' During the trial, the jury had been shown CCTV footage showing Wilson approaching Mr Imnetu and headbutting a minute later, Wilson punched Mr Imnetu five times in the head, causing him to fall to the continued to punch Mr Imnetu repeatedly while he was on his hands and knees, then kicked him in the Katz told Wilson: "It needs to be clearly understood that unlawful street violence of this sort impacts on the confidence of members of the public to go out and enjoy themselves. "The culpability of those involved in such brazen conduct is significantly raised." He continued: "Only a few seconds after punches were aimed by both of you, you tripped Mussie and he fell to the ground... As he knelt, you rained further punches down on his head."Judge Katz told Wilson that instead of walking away, "you stood up, raised your leg and kicked him hard to the head."Kicking someone to the head when they are defenceless on the ground is abhorrent." 'Deliberate lie' In the aftermath of the attack, Wilson told an associate he "crossed the line", the jury previously a message, he admitted: "There's a monster in me, man, and it's just like sometimes it comes out."And I think I've messed up now, I've messed up, everything's finished."Following his arrest two days after the attack, Wilson, from Leytonstone in east London, told police he had struck the victim in self-defence and claimed Mr Imnetu was behaving erratically, harassing girls, and had a bottle as a Judge Katz said the defendant's evidence that he believed Mr Imnetu had hit with him a broken bottle was "a deliberate lie". 'Bye bye Daddy' Mr Imnetu's wife Linda described her husband, who was visiting from Dubai, as "respected, admired and loved" in a pre-recorded victim impact statement played in court."Mussie didn't just leave behind a legacy for his family, he left an indelible mark on his workplace and community," she said."Nothing can undo what has been taken from us. I ask the court to remember the man Mussie was: his character, his integrity and the life he built; not just the circumstances of his passing."A short audio recording of Mr Imnetu's six-year-old son wishing his father goodbye was also played."I love you," the boy said. "Bye bye Daddy."A group of Mr Imnetu's loved ones sat in the well of the court for the hearing, and some cried after hearing his son's recording.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
Self-proclaimed ‘monster' who fatally beat chef near carnival jailed for life
A self-proclaimed 'monster' who beat a top chef near Notting Hill Carnival and left him dying in the street has been jailed for at least 18 years. Omar Wilson, 31, repeatedly punched and kicked Mussie Imnetu during an altercation outside the Dr Power restaurant in Queensway, west London, on August 26 last year. Mr Imnetu, 41, who had worked under chefs Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing, was said to have been 'heavily intoxicated' at the time of the incident and died in hospital four days later. During his Old Bailey trial for murder, Wilson claimed he acted in self-defence, telling jurors: 'I just regret that somebody's life was taken while I was trying to defend mine.' Sentencing the defendant for life with a minimum term of 18 years, Judge Philip Katz said: 'Mussie and those who loved him are the victims in this case and the impact on them of his murder has been severe. 'His brutal death on the street was captured on CCTV. The footage was deeply shocking to watch. 'Mussie was defenceless on the ground when you punched and kicked him to death. 'It needs to be clearly understood that unlawful street violence of this sort impacts on the confidence of members of the public to go out and enjoy themselves. The culpability of those involved in such brazen conduct is significantly raised.' He continued: 'You could not control your temper. Only a few seconds after punches were aimed by both of you you tripped Mussie and he fell to the ground and you could have walked away. 'As he knelt you rained further punches down on his head. You could have walked away. 'However, you stood up, raised your leg and kicked him hard to the head. Kicking someone to the head when they are defenceless on the ground is abhorrent.' Mr Imnetu's wife, Linda, described her husband as 'respected, admired and loved' in a pre-recorded victim impact statement played in court. 'Mussie didn't just leave behind a legacy for his family, he left an indelible mark on his workplace and community,' she said. 'Nothing can undo what has been taken from us. I ask the court to remember the man Mussie was: his character, his integrity and the life he built; not just the circumstances of his passing.' A short audio recording of Mr Imnetu's six-year-old son wishing his 'daddy' goodbye was also played, which the judge called 'heart-rending'. 'I love you,' the little boy said. 'Bye bye daddy.' A group of Mr Imnetu's loved ones sat in the well of the court for the hearing, and some cried after hearing his son's recording. During the trial, the jury had been shown graphic CCTV footage showing Wilson approaching Mr Imnetu and headbutting him. About a minute later, Wilson punched Mr Imnetu five times in the head, causing him to fall to the ground. Wilson continued to punch Mr Imnetu repeatedly while he was on his hands and knees, then kicked him in the head. The defendant then left and was dropped off outside a London club – the Ministry of Sound. Mr Imnetu, who worked at The Arts Club, a private member's establishment, was taken to hospital and died four days later without regaining consciousness, jurors heard. In the aftermath of the attack, Wilson told an associate he 'crossed the line'. In a message, he admitted: 'There's a monster in me, man, and it's just like sometimes it comes out. 'And I think I've messed up now, I've messed up, everything's finished.' Asked how the carnival was going, he replied: 'Can't lie. I did the hands ting (sic) and I think it's a manslaughter,' jurors heard. Following his arrest on August 28, Wilson, of Napier Road, Leytonstone, east London, told police he had struck the victim in 'self-defence'. He claimed Mr Imnetu was behaving erratically, harassing girls, and had a bottle. Judge Katz said his evidence that he believed Mr Imnetu had with him a broken bottle was 'a deliberate lie'.
Sky News
20-02-2025
- Sky News
'Monster' Omar Wilson found guilty of beating top chef to death near Notting Hill Carnival
A self-described "monster" has been found guilty of beating a top chef to death near Notting Hill Carnival - before going clubbing. Omar Wilson, 32, was convicted of the murder of Mussie Imnetu at the Old Bailey after punching and kicking him during an altercation. Wilson claimed he acted in self-defence. CCTV showed Wilson approach the 41-year-old chef and headbutt him outside the Dr Power restaurant in Queensway, near west London's Notting Hill Carnival on 26 August last year, the court heard. Around a minute later, Wilson punched Mr Imnetu five times in the head, continued to repeatedly punch him while he was on his hands and knees, and then kicked him in the head. Mr Imnetu, who worked under star chefs Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing, was said to have been "heavily intoxicated" at the time and died from his injuries four days later in hospital. Prosecutor Jacob Hallam KC had said: "The defendant had, by that point, struck him to his head more than a dozen times. Mr Imnetu had struck the defendant not once. "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." As nearby officers went to help the chef, Wilson walked away from the scene. He dropped his sunglasses and keys as he left. 'There's a monster in me' The court heard that after the assault, Wilson told an associate he "crossed the line" and said in a message: " There's a monster in me, man, and it's just like sometimes it comes out. "And I think I've messed up now, I've messed up, everything's finished." When asked how Notting Hill Carnival was in another message, the court heard that he replied: "Can't lie. I did the hands ting [sic] and I think it's a manslaughter," jurors heard. Wilson's defence After his arrest on 28 August 2024, Wilson told police officers that he had struck Mr Imnetu in "self-defence". He also claimed that the chef was behaving erratically, harassing girls, and had a bottle. Speaking in court, Wilson said he felt "trapped" and "scared" at the time because he believed Mr Imnetu was holding a broken bottle - which turned out not to be the case. A jury found Wilson, of Leytonstone, guilty of murder on Thursday. He was remanded into custody and will be sentenced on Friday. Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie said Mr Imnetu "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". Samantha Yelland, of the CPS, also 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."
Telegraph
20-02-2025
- Telegraph
Self-proclaimed ‘monster' beat top chef to death during Notting Hill Carnival
A self-proclaimed 'monster' beat a top chef to death during Notting Hill Carnival and left him dying in the street to go clubbing. Omar Wilson, 32, repeatedly punched and kicked Mussie Imnetu during an altercation outside Dr Power restaurant in Queensway, west London, on Aug 26, last year. Imnetu, 41, who had worked under chefs Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing, died later in hospital. During the trial at the Old Bailey, Wilson claimed he acted in self-defence, telling jurors: 'I just regret that somebody's life was taken while I was trying to defend mine.' On Thursday, a jury deliberated for 22 hours and 34 minutes to find him guilty of murder by a majority of 10 to two. The jury had been shown graphic CCTV footage of Wilson approaching Imnetu and headbutting him. About a minute later, Wilson punched Imnetu five times in the head, causing him to fall to the ground. Wilson continued to repeatedly punch the chef while he was on his hands and knees, then kicked him in the head. Prosecutor Jacob Hallam KC said: 'The defendant had, by that point, struck him to his head more than a dozen times. Mr Imnetu had struck the defendant not once. '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.' As police moved to help Imnetu, Wilson walked away having dropped his sunglasses and keys at the scene. Imnetu – who worked at The Arts Club, a private member's establishment – was taken to hospital and died four days later without regaining consciousness, jurors heard. In the aftermath of the attack, Wilson told an associate he 'crossed the line'. In a message, he admitted: 'There's a monster in me, man, and it's just like sometimes it comes out. And I think I've messed up now, I've messed up, everything's finished.' Jurors heard that when asked how the carnival was going, he replied: 'Can't lie. I did the hands ting [sic] and I think it's a manslaughter.' Following his arrest on August 28, Wilson told police he had struck the victim in 'self-defence'. He claimed Imnetu was behaving erratically, harassing girls, and had a bottle. On being shown CCTV of Imnetu being assaulted on the ground, Wilson said it 'seems excessive now' and watching it was 'f---ing disgusting'. Giving evidence in his trial, Wilson claimed he hit 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. Asked what he would have done differently with the benefit of hindsight, Wilson said: 'The thing that always haunts me the most was the police were so close and I didn't know at the time.' Evidence was 'overwhelming' Wilson, from Leytonstone, east London, was remanded into custody and will be sentenced by Judge Philip Katz on Friday February 28. Samantha Yelland, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'Our thoughts remain with Mussie Imnetu's devastated family and friends who loved him dearly, as well as those who had to witness the shocking attack that evening. '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.' Det Ch Insp 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.'
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Yahoo
Self-proclaimed ‘monster' beat top chef to death during Notting Hill Carnival
A self-proclaimed 'monster' beat a top chef to death during Notting Hill Carnival and left him dying in the street to go clubbing. Omar Wilson, 32, repeatedly punched and kicked Mussie Imnetu during an altercation outside Dr Power restaurant in Queensway, west London, on Aug 26, last year. Imnetu, 41, who had worked under chefs Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing, died later in hospital. During the trial at the Old Bailey, Wilson claimed he acted in self-defence, telling jurors: 'I just regret that somebody's life was taken while I was trying to defend mine.' On Thursday, a jury deliberated for 22 hours and 34 minutes to find him guilty of murder by a majority of 10 to two. The jury had been shown graphic CCTV footage of Wilson approaching Imnetu and headbutting him. About a minute later, Wilson punched Imnetu five times in the head, causing him to fall to the ground. Wilson continued to repeatedly punch the chef while he was on his hands and knees, then kicked him in the head. Prosecutor Jacob Hallam KC said: 'The defendant had, by that point, struck him to his head more than a dozen times. Mr Imnetu had struck the defendant not once. '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.' As police moved to help Imnetu, Wilson walked away having dropped his sunglasses and keys at the scene. Imnetu – who worked at The Arts Club, a private member's establishment – was taken to hospital and died four days later without regaining consciousness, jurors heard. In the aftermath of the attack, Wilson told an associate he 'crossed the line'. In a message, he admitted: 'There's a monster in me, man, and it's just like sometimes it comes out. And I think I've messed up now, I've messed up, everything's finished.' Jurors heard that when asked how the carnival was going, he replied: 'Can't lie. I did the hands ting [sic] and I think it's a manslaughter.' Following his arrest on August 28, Wilson told police he had struck the victim in 'self-defence'. He claimed Imnetu was behaving erratically, harassing girls, and had a bottle. On being shown CCTV of Imnetu being assaulted on the ground, Wilson said it 'seems excessive now' and watching it was 'f---ing disgusting'. Giving evidence in his trial, Wilson claimed he hit 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. Asked what he would have done differently with the benefit of hindsight, Wilson said: 'The thing that always haunts me the most was the police were so close and I didn't know at the time.' Wilson, from Leytonstone, east London, was remanded into custody and will be sentenced by Judge Philip Katz on Friday February 28. Samantha Yelland, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'Our thoughts remain with Mussie Imnetu's devastated family and friends who loved him dearly, as well as those who had to witness the shocking attack that evening. '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.' Det Ch Insp 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.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
