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Notting Hill Carnival fugitive found guilty of bus driver's stab murder
Notting Hill Carnival fugitive found guilty of bus driver's stab murder

The Independent

time5 days ago

  • The Independent

Notting Hill Carnival fugitive found guilty of bus driver's stab murder

A fugitive has been found guilty of murdering his ex-girlfriend's father after being caught at Notting Hill Carnival. Kamar Williams, 34, stabbed Derek Thomas, 55, in Hackney, north-east London, last July 30. After the 'frenzied' attack, Williams, from the Isle of Dogs, east London, went on the run. He was finally detained after crashing a hired BMW and fleeing on foot, with police in pursuit. On Monday, a jury at the Old Bailey found Williams unanimously guilty of murder and guilty of having a bladed article by a majority of 11 to one. There were cries of 'yes' from the public gallery as the jury delivered the verdicts after deliberating for 17 hours and 48 minutes. Judge Angela Rafferty KC adjourned sentencing until Friday July 18 and remanded Williams into custody. Anthony Orchard KC had told jurors the defendant had been looking for the victim's daughter Carron Thomas on the night of the murder. Earlier that evening, she had received threatening and abusive text messages from the defendant, the court was told. The jury heard that Ms Thomas had called police twice in the hours before her father was attacked. Just before 7pm, she reported to police that Williams was at her sister's address, but when police arrived he was not there. Just after 10.30pm, she called police again, while she was at her sister's house, believing she could see Williams walking through the estate. Williams went to Mr Thomas's home looking for him or his daughter, but they were not in. As he was driving away, he spotted Mr Thomas walking home on Stoke Newington Common at around 11pm. Mr Thomas had finished a late shift as a bus driver and had gone into Tesco for some food before heading home. Williams stopped the van he was driving in the middle of the road, got out and stabbed Mr Thomas five times. The contents of Mr Thomas's shopping bag were strewn over the pavement and road. Mr Orchard said: 'Mr Thomas may well have swung a punch at the defendant but if he did, you can be sure he was acting in a desperate attempt to defend himself. 'There can be no doubt that the attacker was this knife-wielding defendant. 'Mr Thomas was struck by the knife on five occasions in different places in what was, you may think, a frenzied attack. 'If you were walking home across the common minding your own business and someone ran at you with a large knife you would have been terrified – clearly so was Mr Thomas. 'Having stabbed Mr Thomas, the defendant left him for dead and went on the run, only being arrested a month later at the carnival.' Giving evidence, Williams claimed he acted in self-defence after the victim produced a knife. He claimed he had been looking to talk to the bus driver about his relationship with his daughter. He told jurors he took the knife from Mr Thomas and stabbed him with it. Following the guilty verdicts, Detective Inspector John Marriott, of Scotland Yard, said: 'This was a brutal and premeditated attack on a much-loved father. 'Kamar Williams showed clear intent that night, driving to Derek's home, waiting for the right moment, and carrying out this senseless act of violence. 'The swift response from our officers, combined with extensive CCTV, forensic work, and determination from our investigation team, led to his arrest and conviction. 'Our thoughts remain with Derek's family, who have shown immense strength throughout this ordeal.' Mr Thomas's family said in a statement: 'Derek will be greatly missed by his family and friends, he was a dedicated family man and worked hard to provide for them. He was the life and soul of the family. 'Derek was always on hand to provide support, knowledge, advice and was a calming influence when it was required. His passing has left a massive hole in the lives of his wife, children, grandchildren, family and all that knew him. He was greatly loved by all and will never be forgotten.'

Moment police arrest county lines 'gang member' during dawn raid as they shut down 100 drugs networks in a week
Moment police arrest county lines 'gang member' during dawn raid as they shut down 100 drugs networks in a week

Daily Mail​

time04-07-2025

  • Daily Mail​

Moment police arrest county lines 'gang member' during dawn raid as they shut down 100 drugs networks in a week

This is the moment dozens of police officers smashed their way into a home of a suspected county lines criminal as they crackdown on 100 drug networks in a single week. Dramatic bodycam footage shows armed officers barge into a property in the Isle of Dogs, east London in a dawn raid on June 26. Loud shouts could be heard as they pile into the flat where over £5,000 worth of class B and class A drugs, as well as sports cars and luxury watches were found. The man is repeatedly told to 'relax' by police as he continues to frantically reiterate 'No fighting' and 'I'm not violent'. Altogether, that day, four men were arrested in London, with two of those detained at an address in Portsmouth as police busted a county line between Hampshire and the capital city. The fourth was taken into custody at London Gatwick airport, and charges were later made relating to these arrests. It comes as the Metropolitan Police crackdown on county lines drug networks shutting down over 100 in a single week. Between June 23 and June 29, around 301 people believed to be involved in the organised drug dealing groups, which use phone lines to siphon drugs from cities to rural areas. One hundred and eleven people have been charged so far, with over £600,000 in cash, 70kg of class A drugs, 78 dangerous weapons, including samurai swords and Zombie knives, as well as 12 firearms retrieved in the serious of raids. County lines drug dealing networks are known as a violent business model, which exploits young people, children and those with mental health and addiction issues. In a week, 260 vulnerable or young people were safeguarded in a bid to prevent their further involvement with organised crime. Detective Superintendent Dan Mitchell, from the Metropolitan Police Service and National County Lines Coordination Centre, said: 'The Commissioner recently spoke about the indisputable link between county lines and violence. Disrupting county lines is not only vital in keeping society's most vulnerable safe, but also as a key part of our mission in tackling violence. 'The criminals behind these networks are dangerous individuals, capable of manipulating and exploiting anyone to achieve their aims. 'Dedicated Met officers continue to work closely with other police forces around the UK to ensure dangerous offenders are stopped.'

Remorseless criminal branded ‘dangerous sexual predator' was not sent back to Bangladesh after court ruled he was not a threat to public
Remorseless criminal branded ‘dangerous sexual predator' was not sent back to Bangladesh after court ruled he was not a threat to public

Daily Mail​

time24-06-2025

  • Daily Mail​

Remorseless criminal branded ‘dangerous sexual predator' was not sent back to Bangladesh after court ruled he was not a threat to public

A Bangladeshi sex offender branded a 'dangerous sexual predator' by the High Court was allowed to stay in Britain after the asylum court ruled he didn't pose a threat to the public. The asylum seeker carried out a 'violent' sexual assault on a young woman who was found crying and with ripped clothing having been attacked by him, an immigration court was told. The man in his late 20s - described as 'unremorseful and unreformed' - is also strongly suspected of carrying out a string of other sex attacks on strangers. And in 2023 the asylum seeker - who was granted anonymity - was also jailed for three years for being part of two major class A drugs gangs. The Home Office tried to deport him following his drugs conviction but he appealed the decision. In August 2024 the First-tier Tribunal of the Immigration and Asylum Chamber allowed him to stay in the UK on international protection and human rights grounds. A judge concluded he had 'rebutted the presumption he is a danger to the community of the UK'. Now, however, the Upper Tribunal has ruled that the judge made mistakes in their decision by failing to conduct a proper risk assessment and has ordered that the case be re-heard. The Upper Tribunal was told that the Bangladeshi sexually assaulted the stranger in 2015 when he was aged 17, but sought to resist deportation on the grounds that he no longer poses a sufficient risk to the community. Details were shared about the attack in 2015 on the Isle of Dogs in East London in the tribunal's judgement. "The police were called by a third party as he had found a female who was half naked and stating that somebody had tried to rape her", the judgment said. "When police arrived they found the victim sitting on the floor near Mudchute Docklands Light Railway station. "She was crying and visibly shaken. Her top appeared to be ripped and she was holding her bra up with her hands. "The victim stated to the officer that the suspect had approached her nearby stating he was going to look after her as she was drunk. The judgment added that he told the woman he would walk her to a bus stop but instead took her into a park where he pushed her to the ground, pulled off her bra and sexually assaulted the woman. He was given an 18-month detention and training order. There were a spate of other attacks that the Met Police suspected him of being involved in, he has not, however been convicted of any of them. In 2019, the High Court said he remained a 'danger' during a judicial review. The Bangladeshi had by this stage launched an asylum claim. In 2023 the Bangladeshi was jailed for three years 'for his role in conspiring to supply significant quantities of class A drugs as part of an organised criminal enterprise'. It was heard that the First-tier Tribunal in 2024 had to rule whether he posed a 'danger to the community of the UK' as part of his asylum appeal. The judge at the hearing relied on evidence from an expert who 'overlooked' important details about his offending and stated: 'I am satisfied he has rebutted the presumption he is a danger to the community of the UK'. At the latest hearing, Upper Tribunal Judge Paul Lodato found that last year's decision was flawed. Judge Lodato said: the risk assessment which underpinned the finding 'involved errors of law." The judge added: "We are bound to conclude that the judge fell into legal error in her assessment of (the expert's) evidence. "There are palpable indications that (the expert) overlooked important parts of the overall evidential landscape before he came to the conclusion that the (Bangladeshi) presented only a low risk of reoffending.' The expert 'failed to see signs of (the Bangladeshi) downplaying his culpability for his offending', the judge said, 'and initially failed to apply his mind to a deeply concerning sequence of sexual attacks on female strangers' around the time of the 2015 attack. The judge said there were reasonable grounds to suspect the asylum seeker had committed some of the 'non-conviction offences'. Judge Lodato added: 'Not only did the judge who considered the risk posed by the (Bangladeshi) in 2024 fail to refer to these manifest gaps of reasoning in the expert's opinion evidence on which she relied so heavily, there was a yet further and more recent indication that (he) was not at all remorseful about his sexual offending in 2015." Judge Lodato said the First-tier Tribunal judge failed to appreciate the fact that in 2019 judicial findings showed the abuser was a 'dangerous sexual predator who was neither remorseful nor reformed'. The Bangladeshi's case will be re-heard at the First-tier Tribunal at a later date.

How Greenwich became London's loveliest spot
How Greenwich became London's loveliest spot

Telegraph

time30-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Telegraph

How Greenwich became London's loveliest spot

Historic and handsome, with sweeping Thames views, a royal park and maritime heritage, Greenwich is one of London's most atmospheric neighbourhoods. The walls of its pubs echo with sailors' tales and its institutions are frequented by visitors from all over the globe, who come to marvel at painted ceilings and astronomic instruments of centuries past. With a pace of life that's more promenade than power-walk – except during the annual exodus of London marathoners – Greenwich's riverside pubs, bustling market and impressive museums make it the ideal place for a weekend escape (even if you live in London). Although you could arrive by train (note that the Cutty Sark DLR station is closed until spring 2026), it's far more fun, and scenic, to take the boat or the foot tunnel from the Isle of Dogs. Greenwich is south of the river – a vital distinction to Londoners – with trendy Peckham to the west, Blackheath and Lewisham to the south and Woolwich to the east. A Unesco World Heritage Site in parts, this pocket of London feels simultaneously grand and grounded. Here are all the things which make it an ideal place for your next domestic minibreak. Where time begins Climb up through Greenwich Park, one of the capital's oldest royal parks, and you'll reach the place where the Prime Meridian line slices the globe in two. Stand astride it, half in the eastern hemisphere and half in the west – looking down across distinctive twin domes to the river and the tower-speckled skyline – and feel the pull of centuries of discovery. Although its name references leafy, waterside qualities (so called by Danish settlers, Greenwich literally means 'green place on the bay'), for most, it is inextricably connected with time. Greenwich Mean Time, accepted globally in 1884 as the standard time reference, originated at the Royal Observatory, the first state-funded, purpose-built scientific institution in Britain; it was founded by King Charles II to aid maritime navigation. Today, it's a major museum and scientific site, showcasing the history of astronomy and the evolution of timekeeping, and celebrating its 350th anniversary in 2025 with special exhibitions and events. Families should book in for Ted's Space Adventure (at weekends and in the school holidays); a 30-minute, child-friendly show which introduces the planets and stars through music, storytelling and science. Maritime roots and market finds At the heart of Greenwich is the Old Royal Naval College, Sir Christopher Wren's architectural masterpiece and once the site of the royal palace where Henry VIII was born. It's now an occasional star of the silver screen (Les Misérables, The King's Speech, The Golden Compass). The moment you step inside the Painted Hall – originally built as a dining hall for retired seamen – you'll better understand why it took 19 years to complete, and why it's sometimes called the 'British Sistine Chapel'. This is just one of several Unesco buildings worth admiring in the area. The National Maritime Museum houses one of the world's largest collections of nautical treasures, from shipwreck relics to polar exploration gear and historic star charts; the elegant Queen's House next door blends classical design with world-famous artworks. Less than half a mile away, the Cutty Sark – the fastest tea clipper of her day and the world's last surviving example – is moored in magnificent retirement, her vast iron hull raised above ground so you can wander beneath it. Greenwich's covered market, open daily, was reinvigorated a decade ago and has been handsomely rewarded for its efforts. Wander through this vibrant hub of vendors, packed with handmade jewellery, vintage books, contemporary crafts and street food stalls where queues form before noon. Pick up fine cheese and charcuterie from French deli L'Hexagone or traditional candies, sold by the quarter, at Mr Humbug. Nearby, Beadoir, a boutique specialising in beads and handcrafted jewellery, also offers classes to make your own pieces, while at Made In Greenwich, you can support local artists and makers, buying everything from ceramics and textiles to foodie treats. If you're visiting in May, check out the Urban Village Fete, Greenwich Peninsula's biggest free day out. At any time of year, the gorgeous park is worth saving time for, from its Roman Temple, cherry blossoms and flower garden to what Google Maps helpfully labels as Best Deer Viewing Spot. Pubs, pies, sausages and street food Although Greenwich has its fair share of upscale dining options, like Southern Italian restaurant Bianco43, it does a roaring trade in hearty pub grub, café fare and more-ish street food, devoured by locals and visitors with equal zest. The Plume of Feathers – the oldest pub in Greenwich, which predates even the Old Royal Naval College – has been welcoming travellers since 1691 in its prime spot near the park's boating spot. If you fancy a pub crawl, the walk towards Deptford and Rotherhithe is dappled with historic riverside taverns; while in the other direction, the Trafalgar Tavern is perennially popular, with maritime décor and distinctive bunting. Locals get coffee and cake from Grind or 15grams Coffee House, and pizza from Wandercrust at The Pelton Arms. East End nostalgia comes in the form of pie and mash at Goddards at Greenwich on King William Walk, a 135-year-old family-run institution. The best British bangers are found down the road at Heap's Sausage Café on the corner of Greenwich Park. Its neighbour, Oliver's Jazz Bar, plays live music every night until late. Spend the night Moments from Greenwich Park, the museums and the Thames is the smart, unassuming pub-with-rooms Admiral Hardy (from £174 per night), with a back door that opens into Greenwich Market and its own pub garden. Greenwich Theatre or The O2 with a day or two exploring this lovely part of London.

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