Two Teenagers Jailed for Roehampton Killing


Abdirizak Hassan was lured to his death at a flat in Dowdeswell Close

Muhammed Danso (left) and Elijah Roye (right) found guilty of killing
Muhammed Danso (left) and Elijah Roye (right) found guilty of killing

Two teenagers, one of them a minor, have been jailed after being convicted of killing a rival drug dealer in Roehampton. A third awaits sentencing at a hearing due to take place next month.

One of those imprisoned was a 15-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons who was jailed for 7 years. 18-year-old Muhammed Danso from Bexley was jailed for 10 years.

Both had previously been found not guilty of murder but were convicted of manslaughter.

19-year-old Elijah Roye from Battersea, who has been convicted of murder, will be sentenced on Wednesday, 2 November.

All three had earlier been convicted at Kingston Crown Court on Friday, 27 May this year.

The trio tricked 24-year-old Abdirizak Hassan, known as Abdi, into visiting a flat in Dowdeswell Close where they attacked him and stabbed him in the chest on the afternoon of 5 May 2021.

The property was occupied by a vulnerable person and the woman’s phone was used to lure Abdi to the flat with a request to buy drugs. When he arrived at around 5.20pm, the three teenagers stabbed him to death during an attack that lasted for several minutes.

His body was not discovered by police until the following day. Using witness accounts, forensic evidence, CCTV footage and phone data, they were able to identify the three killers.

Victim Abdirizak Hassan - 'a funny, clever, compassionate and big-hearted person'
Victim Abdirizak Hassan - 'a funny, clever, compassionate and big-hearted person'

In a statement, the victim's family said, "Abdi was well loved son, brother and friend. He was a funny, clever, compassionate and big-hearted person. We miss him dearly and will cherish our memories of him forever."

Detective Inspector Adam Guttridge, the senior investigating officer, said, "This case clearly highlights the extreme levels of violence associated with the illegal drug trade and the devastating effects on our communities.

"The diligent and painstaking examination of hours of CCTV and phone data evidence linked our suspects to the scene and to each other. Knowing that three dangerous individuals have been taken off our streets has made those efforts wholly worthwhile.

"I praise the bravery of the witnesses in this case who came forward to assist the investigation. We need the support of the public if we are to reduce violence across London.

“While today's sentence won’t bring Abdirizak back to his family, but it is my sincere hope that they gain a sense of justice and closure now that the court process has concluded.”

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October 22, 2022