Upcoming trials and inquests
CONSPIRACY TO MURDER OF CAGEFIGHTER, SECURITAS ROBBER TRIAL
Jury out at Old Bailey
Three men have denied conspiring to murder cagefighter Paul Allen, who was famously convicted of his role in the Securitas heist. Stewart Ahearne, 45, was charged over the shooting on July 11, 2019, after he was extradited from Switzerland. Daniel Kelly, 45, from Islington, also denies the charge. The third defendant is Louis Ahearne. Allen, 45, was left with serious, life-changing injuries as a result of the incident in Malvern Drive, Woodford Green. During a pre-trial hearing, Ahearne said he “one billion per cent” pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to murder, which Kelly also denied. The charge alleges that between June 26 and July 12 2019 they conspired together with others to murder Allen.
TRUE CRIME OBSESSIVE MURDER SENTENCING
Sentencing at Winchester Crown Court on 28 March 2025.
A criminology student who was fascinated by true crime awaits sentencing for the murder of a complete stranger, Amie Gray, on Bournemouth beach. Nasen Saadi, 20, of Croydon, south London, was also found guilty in Dec 2024 of the attempted murder of Ms Gray’s friend, 39-year-old Leanne Miles. Saadi, who was obsessed with the Setagaya killings in Japan, was said to want to know what it felt like to kill someone.
EASTER BANK HOLIDAY SHOOTING TRIAL
Trial at Old Bailey underway. Due to last until May.
On Easter Bank Holiday 2024 Janayo Lucima, 21, was shot dead at a house in Comeragh Road in West Kensington, west London at 10pm. Khuedr Al-Kurdi, 21, Muktar Said, 22, Issa Siteri, 18, Yusuf Muhudin Abdi, 18, two 17-year-old men and a 16-year-old boy have all been charged with murder and face trial in February 2025. Siteri and Abdi voluntarily returned from Morocco in June 2024 while the 16-year-old boy was extradited from Spain in June 2024. Lucima had been convicted of perverting the course of justice in 2021 after helping in the clean-up operation after William “Blaise” Algar was murdered in Dec 2019 in the so-called Monster Line murder.
https://totalcrime.substack.com/p/why-easter-shooting-has-echo-of-the
NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL WOMAN MURDER TRIAL
Trial at Old Bailey underway
Shakiel Thibou, 20, of Masbro Road, Hammersmith, west London, is charged with murder over the stabbing of Cher Maximen, 32, on August 25. He is also charged with violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. Sheldon Thibou, 24, of Star Road, Hammersmith, has been charged with violent disorder, possession of a stun gun and assaulting an emergency worker, while Shaeim Thibou, 21, of Charleville Road, Fulham, south-west London, has been charged with violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker.
DRILL RAP VIDEO MURDERS TRIAL
Trial at Old Bailey starting on 31 March 2025
Abel Chunda, 27, Eden Clark, 29, Jason Furtado, 26, Lorik Lupqi, and Xavier Poponne are charged with the murder of 15-year-old Leonardo Reid and Shekaj Klevi, 23, on June 29 in Islington, north London during a drill rap music video shoot. They face two counts of murder, attempted murder, and possession of an offensive weapon. Trial originally due to take place in May 2024 but then Poponne was charged and it was put back. Prosecutor is Jacob Hallam KC
ARISTOCRAT AND BOYFRIEND RETRIAL FOR BABY MANSLAUGHTER
Retrial at Old Bailey underway, after hung jury discharged on 19 June 2024.
Constance Martin, 35, and Mark Gordon, 48, face trial for the manslaughter of baby Victoria. They were convicted at their first trial of concealment of the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice.
The pair, originally from London, went on the run in Dec 2022 after their car broke down on the motorway near Bolton. They were eventually found in Brighton, where they had been living rough. Their child was found dead in allotments nearby.
Trial is before the Recorder of London, Judge Mark Lucraft KC.
GANG MURDER TRIAL (CAUGHT IN CROSSFIRE)
Trial at Old Bailey on 31 March 2025.
Marcus La-Croix, 36, from Hackney, is charged with the murder of 17-year-old Tanesha Melbourne-Blake on April 2 2018 who was fatally shot from a vehicle on Chalgrove Road, Tottenham, and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. His co-accused, MIchael Clarke, 34, from Luton, faces the same charges. The shooting was part of a feud between N17 (Tottenham) and N22 (Wood Green) postcode gangs.
TEENAGE GIRLS ACCUSED OF KILLING ELDERLY MAN, TRIAL
Trial pending at Old Bailey. First up on 31 March 2025.
Three teenage girls allegedly surrounded a 75-year-old man before he was pushed, shoved, kicked and punched and then died in hospital the next day.
Fredi Rivero, who was Bolivian, was attacked on Seven Sisters Road in Islington at about 11.35pm.
Three teenage girls, aged 14, 16 and 17, were arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm before the man’s death, but were later charged with manslaughter.
One of the teenagers recorded the incident on her mobile.
There is also CCTV footage of the incident.
SCHOOLBOY MURDER TRIAL
Trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court under way (3 weeks)
Two boys have been charged with the murder of 13-year-old Jahziah Coke in Oldbury, West Midlands, on 29 August 2024.
The youths, who cannot be identified because of their age, deny murder.
A man in his 40s, who cannot be named due to legal reasons, denies assisting an offender.
Reporting restrictions
TURKISH-MANUFACTURED TOP-VENTING BLANK FIRER USED IN MURDER, TRIAL
Trial at Old Bailey on 28 April 2025
Sebastiaan James-Kraan, 20 died in hospital three days after being shot on the Copley Close estate in Hanwell, west London on June 9 at about 2.10am.
The murder weapon was a Turkish-manufactured top-venting blank-firer (TVBF) which had been converted to fire lethal ammunition. An amnesty was offered for TVBFs in Feb 2025.
Javier Rodriguez-McDonald, 19, of Acton, west London, Emmanuel Mgbean, 19, of Wembley, north west London, and Jayson Rodriguez-McDonald, 20, of Ealing, deny murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
Javier Rodriguez-McDonald also pleaded guilty to a charge of carrying an article with a blade or point, namely a folding pocket knife.
Mr James-Kraan was described by his family as “a gentle giant with a heart of pure gold” in a statement released via the police after his death.
ENCROCHAT ‘MR BIG’ TRIAL
Trial at Old Bailey on 28 April 2025. T2022-7163.
James Harding, 31, and Jayes Kharouti are charged with conspiracy to murder and drugs offences. Harding was arrested in May 2022 after flying into Heathrow from Dubai. He is accused of conspiracy to murder unknown persons between May 15, 2020 and June 13, 2020. Kharouti was also extradited, from Turkey.
FOLK MUSICIANS FACE TRIAL OVER ALLEGEDLY WHITE SUPREMACIST LYRICS
Retrial at Woolwich Crown Court on 28 April 2025. 6 weeks
Robert Talland, 53, his daughter Rosie Talland, 31, and son Stephen Talland, 33, are accused of stirring up racial hatred and encouraging terrorism. Their first trial in 2023 ended in a hung jury.
BARBER SHOP MURDER TRIAL (CHILD WITNESSED IT)
Trial at Old Bailey on 28 April 2025
Renai Belle, 30, from Edmonton, north London, is charged with the murder of Josh McKay, 33, who was stabbed in a barber’s ship in Lea Bridge Road, Waltham Forest, on July 6, 2024.
CLIFTON SUSPENSION BRIDGE BODIES IN SUITCASE TRIAL
Trial on 29 April 2025 at Old Bailey
Yostin Andres Mosquera, of Scotts Road, in Shepherd’s Bush, west London, has been charged with murdering 62-year-old Albert Alfonso and 71-year-old Paul Longworth between 8 and 10 July 2024 in the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The bodies were found in two suitcases on Clifton Suspension Bridge, near Bristol. He denies murder.
HARROW ROAD BOYS (FREDO v DIGGA D) TRIAL
Retrial at Kingston Crown Court on 6 May 2025.
Jayvon Tison (aka Lil Dotz), Mustafa Abdalla, Romello Briggs-Leon, Yasin Abdulla, Herman Yikalo, Kylann Grannum, Harry Crump and Abraham Safo Frimpong. Also named on the indictment was Marvin Bailey aka Fredo, who is living in Dubai. The charges relate to attempts to buy a gun, allegedly to use against rival gangs and rapper Digga D aka Rhys Herbert.
P DIDDY SEX TRAFFICKING TRIAL
Trial in New York on 8 May 2025
Sean Combs, 54, previously pleaded not guilty to charges including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking based on allegations that go back to 2008.
BULGARIANS ALLEGED TO HAVE SPIED FOR RUSSIA
Sentencing at Old Bailey on 12 May (after 3-day sentencing hearing)
Three Bulgarians have been convicted of breaking the Official Secrets Act and spying for Russia.
Katrin Ivanova, 33, Vanya Gaberova, 30, and Tihomir Ivanov Ivanchev, 39, were found guilty at the Old Bailey of spying on an “industrial scale”. They will be sentenced in May alongside ringleader Orlin Roussev, 47, his second-in-command Biser Dzhambazov, 43, and Ivan Stoyanov.
DRILL RAPPER RETRIAL
Retrial at Old Bailey on 12 May 2025. Reporting restrictions. T2023-7130
A drill rapper (BMc) faces a retrial for conspiracy to murder. The case cannot be reported due to reporting restrictions.
See secret records for details
MURDER OF DIRTZ (A TEAM) TRIAL
Third trial at Old Bailey on 19 May 2025.
Melvis Mariano faces a retrial charged with the murder of Kamal “Dirtz” Nuur, who was stabbed to death on the Cally (Caledonian Road) estate in Islington, north London. Abby Lowne is accused of assisting an offender. Michael Lebbie was acquitted in 2023.
GOLD TOILET THEFT TRIAL
Sentencing at Oxford Crown Court on May 19 (date only for Doe).
Two men due to be sentenced for burglary of £4.8 million gold toilet from Blenheim Palace. They are Michael Jones, 38, from Oxford, and James Sheen, 39, from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. has already pleaded guilty. Frederick Doe from Ascot, Berkshire, convicted of criminal transfer charge after toilet stolen on September 14 2019. Bora Guccuk, 40, from west London, was acquitted of criminal transfer charge.
FIRE BRIGADE CHIEF SUICIDE INQUEST
Inquest in Birmingham on May 19, 2025.
West Midlands Fire Service’s Chief Fire Officer Wayne Brown, 54, was found dead at his home in January 2024. An article in The Sun a few days earlier claimed he had lied about having a Masters Degree in order to get the £180,000 a year job. Senior Coroner Louise Hunt heard a brief submission from the partner of Mr Brown, who said she had spoken to him throughout January 23 and messaged him, and he had seemed “very, very low”. It came only weeks after the Chief Constable of Northamptonshire was suspended over false claims about his naval career.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/25464552/fire-chief-lied-masters-degree/
RUSSIAN AGENTS ARSON TRIAL
Trial at the Old Bailey on 2 or 4 June 2025.
On March 20, 2024 around 60 firefighters brought a fire under control at an industrial unit in Leyton, east London connected with Ukrainian-linked businesses owned by “Oddisey” and “Meest UK”.
The alleged target of the fire is labelled as “Mr X” in the charges.
Dmitrijus Paulauska, 22, is charged with failing to disclose information to police about terrorist acts.
Four other defendants have also been charged with aggravated arson. They are Paul English, 60, and Nii Mensah, 21, Jakeem Barrington Rose, 22, of Croydon, and Ugnius Asmena, 19.
Dylan Earl, 20, has been charged under the National Security Act 2023 – the first case to involve alleged offences under the new spy laws – with acting on behalf of Russia against Ukrainian businesses in London.
He is accused of being in contact with a handler in the Wagner Group before carrying out reconnaissance of targets “in relation to activity intended to benefit Russia.”
Earl is accused of recruiting and paying others to carry out an arson attack.
Jake Reeves, 22, has pleaded guilty to accepting cash, knowing it was from a foreign intelligence service.
HAINAULT SWORD MURDER TRIAL
Trial at Old Bailey on 3 June 2025 (3 weeks)
Marcus Arduini Monzo allegedly ran up behind 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin and slashed him in the neck and chest as the youngster was walking to school. He is charged with Daniel’s murder and attacks against four other people, including two police officers. Prosecutor Tom Little KC.
BRADFORD MOTHER PUSHING PRAM MURDER TRIAL
Trial at Bradford Crown Court on 9 June 2025
Habibur Masum, 25, is charged with murdering Kulsuma Akter, 27, who was attacked as she pushed her young son in a pram in Bradford on April 6, 2024.
Masum, a YouTuber who was originally from Bangladesh, was arrested in Aylesbury a few days after the incident.
Due to issues with a psychiatric report being available, the trial has been postponed to 9 June 2025.
NONAGENARIAN ACCUSED OF 1967 MURDER – TRIAL
Trial at Bristol Crown Court on 16 June 2025 (PCMH on Feb 14)
A 92-year-old man is accused of the rape and murder of a woman who was found strangled to death in her home 57 years ago. Ryland Headley, who was 25 at the time, is accused of killing 75-year-old Louisa Dunne. Her body was found by a neighbour inside her home on Britannia Road in the Easton area of Bristol on June 28 1967.
MANCHESTER AIRPORT FRACAS TRIAL
Trial at Liverpool Crown Court on June 30. 3 weeks. Judge Andrew Menary KC
Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, of Rochdale, denies two offences of causing actual bodily harm, one charge of assaulting an emergency worker and one charge of common assault and Muhammed Amaad, 25, also from Rochdale, denies causing actual bodily harm.
Footage of a fracas at Manchester airport’s Terminal Two was shared online in July 2024 and prompted protests after it appeared to show a Greater Manchester Police officer assaulting a man as he lay on the floor.
But it later emerged that it followed an earlier confrontation between passengers on a Qatar Airways flight.
The CPS said no police officers would face charges over their role in the incident.
Reform UK had threatened to bring a private prosecution in the case.
NINE O’CLOCK SERVICE EVANGELICAL RAVE PREACHER SEX CRIMES TRIAL
Trial at Old Bailey OR Inner London Crown Court on 30 June 2025. 10 weeks.
The Reverend Christopher Brain, who led the Nine O’Clock Service, an evangelical movement which was linked to the rave scene, in Sheffield between 1986 and 1995, has pleaded not guilty to 34 charges in relation to 11 women.
Mr Brain, 66, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, denies one count of rape and 33 counts of indecent assault, alleged to have been committed between 1981 and 1995.
The charges relate to allegations of sexual offences committed against women who had joined the movement.
The Nine O’Clock Service was initially held at St Thomas’s Church, in the Crookes area of Sheffield, before moving to Ponds Forge sport complex in the city centre.
The 33 indecent assault charges include some which cover multiple different alleged incidents, including a number involving allegations of assault during massages.
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS CORRUPTION TRIAL
Retrial got under way in Dec 2024 in Providenciales, TCI.
Michael Misick, who was chief minister of Turks and Caicos Islands from 2003-2006 and premier from 2006-2009, faces trial for corruption. In 2009 Britain imposed direct rule over the colony and Misick resigned. Accused of corruption, he sought political asylum in Brazil. He was extradited back to the islands in 2014, receiving a hero’s welcome. Misick went on trial in 2016 along with eight politicians and lawyers. But the trial dragged on for years until finally collapsing when the elderly Jamaican judge presiding over it, Paul Harrison, died, aged 85, in 2021. But the SIPT appointed a new judge, Mabel Agyemang, from Ghana, and in 2022 she ordered a new trial.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3606425/I-trying-make-Turks-Caicos-Islands-sexy.html
NOVICHOK INQUIRY (DEATH OF DAWN STURGESS)
Public inquiry under way at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
Dawn Sturgess was pronounced dead at Salisbury District Hospital on 8 July 2018. The post mortem indicated the cause of her death was Novichok poisoning. The Russian government is believed to have targeted Sergei Skripal at his home in Salisbury. Skripal and his daughter survived.
On 18 November 2021 the Home Secretary announced the government’s decision to establish an inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 to investigate the death of Dawn Sturgess.
Baroness Hallett is the presiding judge overseeing the inquiry.
BRIXTON ACADEMY CRUSH INQUEST
Inquest pending. Criminal investigation still ongoing.
Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, and Gaby Hutchinson, 23, were killed when they were crushed at a gig by Nigerian Afrobeats singer Asake at the Brixton Academy in south London. The police said thousands of ticketless fans tried to storm the entrance to the building. Hutchinson worked in security while Ikumelo is believed to have been an Asake fan.
DALSTON RESTAURANT (TURKISH MAFIA) SHOOTING IN WHICH GIRL, 9, SHOT
Trial at Old Bailey on 21 July 2025. PMCH on 19 Nov 2024.
Javon Riley, 32, of Farnborough Road, Farnborough, has been charged with four counts of attempted murder after a shooting outside a Turkish restaurant in Dalston, Hackney, in May 2024 in which a 9-year-old girl was seriously injured.
As of August, the girl remained in hospital in a stable condition. She was having dinner with her family in a restaurant when shots were fired by a man on a stolen motorbike who rode past.
Riley is also charged with attempted murder of Ali Nasser, 42, Kenan Aydogdu, 44, and Mustafa Kiziltam, 37.
The shooting is linked to a feud between Bombacilar (Bombers), a Hackney-based Turkish mafia, and the Tottenham Turks.
ATTEMPTED MURDER OF DETECTIVE JOHN CALDWELL BY LOYALIST/NEW IRA GANG
Trial in N Ireland, probably not before Jan 2026.
Jonathan McGinty, 28, of St Julians Downs, Omagh; Brian Carron, 38, of Claremount Drive, Coalisland; Gavin Coyle, 45, of Killybrack Mews, Omagh; Matthew McLean, 33, Glenpark Road, Omagh; Robert McLean, 29, Deverney Park, Omagh; James Ivor McLean, 72, of Deverney Park, Omagh; and Alan McFarland, 47, of Deverney Park, Omagh, all deny attempted murder of Detective Inspector John Caldwell, who retired on medical grounds in Dec 2024. He received the King’s Police Medal.
Carron and Coyle stand further accused of belonging to a proscribed organisation, namely the IRA. McGinty, McFarland and Matthew McLean are also charged with preparation of terrorist acts.
GUNS FOUND IN VEHICLE HIDE, TRIAL
Trial pending at Maidstone or Canterbury CC in 2025
On 24 Feb 2025 Border Force officers seized 13 firearms and 300 rounds of ammunition from a SUV which arrived on ferry from France at Dover. Inside a custom-built hide in the vehicle’s footwell they discovered 13 firearms, including Skorpions, a submachine gun and pistols.
They also found 300 rounds of ammunition and five kilos of heroin..
Kasha Sanderson, 39, of Wick, Bristol, appeared at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on 25 Feb 2025 charged with importation of firearms, ammunition and Class A drugs.
CBIZ TRIAL IN BERMUDA
Trial pending in Bermuda.
David Osadebay aka CBiz awaiting trial on drugs charges.
CORONATION DAY SHOOTING INCIDENT
Inquest in Kent pending (was delayed from Oct 2023)
Mother-of-two Hayley Burke, 36, was fatally injured in a shooting during the coronation weekend and later died in hospital. Jacob Cloke, 29, is believed to have held her at gunpoint and pulled the trigger during a stand-off with police. Cloke later died of self-inflicted injuries. It later emerged that Cloke was facing several charges of violence against Burke and was on bail at the time of the attack. Court records show he had been charged with two counts of assault and one of causing actual bodily harm in three separate incidents between February 2022 and April 2023. At a hearing on 26 April – less than two weeks before the fatal shooting – he pleaded not guilty to the charges at Medway magistrates court and was subsequently released on conditional bail with an order not to contact Burke or to enter Dartford, where she lived. Prosecutors also requested that he be fitted with a GPS-enabled electronic tag to allow police to monitor his whereabouts and keep him from entering the exclusion area. IOPC investigating.
FOUR VIETNAMESE DIED IN FIRE AT CANNABIS FARM IN DISUSED MILL INQUEST
Inquest pending. GMP still investigating.
The bodies of Cuong Van Chu, Uoc Van Nguyen, Duong Van Nguyen and Nam Thanh Lee were found in July 2022 when work began on demolishing Bismark House Mill in Bower Street, Oldham, which had burnt down in May 2022. Their bodies were repatriated to Vietnam in Aug 2023. Nam arrived in the UK in January 2022 – he last contacted his family on Wednesday 4 May 2022, at which time he said he was residing in “a derelict house” in “Dam”, believed to be Oldham, while looking for work. Four people were arrested by police investigating the fire and a cannabis factory at the site.
LYRA McKEE (NEW IRA) MURDER TRIAL
Trial under way in Northern Ireland
In April 2019 blogger and journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead by the New IRA as she sheltered behind a police vehicle during rioting on the Creggan estate in Derry.
Paul McIntyre was charged with McKee’s murder and related offences in February 2020 and is currently out on bail, awaiting trial.
In 2021 Peter Cavanagh, 33, and Jordan Devine, 21, were charged with her murder.
NEWHAM GANG MURDER TRIAL
Trial at Old Bailey in Sep 2025
Lekan Akinsoji, 26 , and Sundjata Keita, 26, are accused of murdering Ahmed Deen-Jah who was stabbed in Freemasons Road, Custom House on 2 April 2017. Ahmed’s brother, Abubakarr ‘Junior’ Jah, 18, was also murdered in April 2021. Awadh Saleh and Rio Burton-Devine – from the Chadd Green gang – were convicted of his murder. Anthony Orchard KC prosecuting.
Reporting restrictions in place.
NOAH DONOHOE INQUEST
Inquest in September 2025. 10 weeks.
Schoolboy Noah Donohoe went missing in Belfast in June 2020. The 14-year-old was found dead in a storm drain six days after he cycled off to meet friends.
His mother Fiona Donohoe is hoping to secure answers to some of the questions surrounding the death of her son through the inquest process. Her supporters are known as Noah’s Army and some of their conspiracy theories are quite outlandish.
Noah was from the Catholic community and some of the conspiracy theories surround loyalist gangs.
The inquest was originally scheduled to take place in 2022 but was delayed after a ruling from coroner Joe McCrisken that it should proceed with a jury, following an application from Noah’s mother.
The original coroner, Joe McCrisken, has since recused himself from the case. The inquest will now be heard by Mr Justice Rooney.
FISHING TRAWLER SANK – MANSLAUGHTER TRIAL IN JERSEY
Trial at Jersey Royal Court in St Helier, Jersey on 1 Sept 2025
Three men drowned after the fishing trawler L’Ecume II sank off the coast of Jersey on 8 December 2022. Artur Sevash-Zade, 34. from Ukraine, was charged with manslaughter in July 2024 in St Helier and awaits trial. On 8 December 2022, the L’Ecume II sank following a collision with Condor’s Commodore Goodwill freight ship. The incident resulted in the deaths of the trawler’s skipper, Michael Michieli, as well as crewmen Jervis Ramirez Baligat and Larry Simyunn.
US AIRMAN ACCUSED OF RAPE AT RAF BASE
Trial at Northampton Crown Court on 15 Sep 2025
Keiran Lee Bogstad, an American airman, has pleaded not guilty to raping a UK citizen three times between November 2020 and February 2021 at RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire. The original trial was adjourned back of a lack of jurors.
LADBROKE GROVE ATTEMPTED MURDER TRIAL
Trial at the Old Bailey on 22 Sept 2025 (4-5 weeks) PCMH on 10 March 2025.
A man has been charged with two counts of attempted murder after an eight-year-old girl and her father, aged 34, were injured in a shooting in Ladbroke Grove, west London, on 24 Nov 2024.
Jazz Reid, 32, of Kensington, west London, was also charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition. The girl had surgery and is in a stable condition, while her father has been left with potentially life-changing injuries. The pair were with her two-year-old sibling and 32-year-old mother, who were both unhurt, at the time of the attack.
Prosecutor Michael Goodwin KC
News of the attack led news bulletins on Nov 25, 2024.
RAPPER ON TRIAL OVER DRUG IMPORTS
Trial at Kingston Crown Court on 22 September 2025. O1MP1114523
Courtney Freckleton aka Nines is due to go on trial for conspiracy to import cannabis.
DRILL RAPPER ACCUSED OF ATTEMPTED MURDER AND GUN CHARGES TRIAL
Sentencing due at Old Bailey later in 2025.
Nathan Tokosi, aka DigDat, 24, (DOB 10.11.99) was convicted of attempted murder following a shooting in 2023 which left a man fighting for his life in hospital. The incident in Notting Hill, west London, on 20 Nov 2023 triggered an armed police response. He was convicted attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of three 9mm parabellum calibre bullets without a certificate. In 2019, the BBC lauded Tokosi for helping “shape” drill music with his “witty wordplay”. The drill rapper went on to perform at London’s Wireless Festival in 2021 and his music videos have racked up tens of millions of hits online.
CHINA SPIES TRIAL
Trial pending at Old Bailey Woolwich CC on 6 Oct 2025. PCMH in Feb 2025.
Christopher Cash, 29, a researcher, and Christopher Berry, 32, have been charged under the Official Secrets Act. They are accused of giving “articles, notes, documents or information” to a foreign state, namely China. China has called the allegations “malicious slander”.
Mr Berry, from Witney in Oxfordshire, and Mr Cash, of Whitechapel, London, were arrested in March 2023 in connection with the investigation.
It was previously reported that Mr Cash was a parliamentary researcher involved with the China Research Group, and who is understood to have had access to several Conservative MPs.
TOTTENHAM TURKS MURDER TRIAL
Trial at Old Bailey on 13 Oct. PCMH on 28 April.
Jan Mercan, 23 (born 7 August 2001) is charged with the murder of Talip Guzel in White Hart Lane, Tottenham, on 30 July 2023. Stanislava Kukusheva, 35 (04.02.89) of Compton Crescent, N17 has been charged was charged with perverting the course of justice; assisting an offender and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Guzel was involved in the abduction, torture and murder of Koray Alpergin in Oct 2022.
SIX ACCUSED WITH MEMBERSHIP OF PKK: TRIAL
Trial at Old Bailey on 5 Jan 2026. PCMH on 13 June 2025.
Six people have been charged with membership of a terrorist organisation – namely the Kurdistan Workers’ Party or ‘PKK’ – contrary to section 11 of the Terrorism Act, 2000.
In Feb 2025 the PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan issued a statement from prison, calling on its members to lay down their weapons.
The defendants are:
Turkan Ozcan, 59 (06.02.1965), of Edmonton, N9,
Mazlum Sayak, 27 (05.08.1997), of South Woodford, E18,
Berfin Kerban, 31 (07.10.1993), of Haggerston, E8,
Ali Boyraz, 62 (30.05.1962), of Tottenham, N17,
Ercan Akbal, 56 (13.07.1968) of Leyton, E10,
Agit Karatas, 23 (05.11.2001) of Hackney, E8.
COLD CASE MURDER – 1984 TUBE STATION – TRIAL
Trial at Old Bailey on 5 (or 12) Jan 2026
Anthony Littler, 45, was found with head injuries in an alleyway known as The Causeway, near East Finchley Tube station on May 1, 1984. Investigators believe the Customs and Excise officer, who was single and lived a short distance from the station, was murdered in a random attack.
In March 2025 two brothers – Michael Stewart, 55, of Station Road, New Barnet, north London, and Anthony Stewart, 59, of Old Farm Road, Finchley, north London – who had been arrested a year earlier, were charged with Mr Littler’s murder.
Another three men who were previously arrested on suspicion of murder remain under investigation.
CHURCH ROAD FUNERAL MURDER TRIAL
Trial at Old Bailey on 12 Jan 2026. PCMH on 2 April 2025.
Michelle Sadio, 44, died after shots were fired in Harlesden at about 9pm on 14 December 2024. She was standing with mourners outside the River of Life pentecostal church after a funeral wake. Two men were also injured in the incident. Kenneth Amoah, 39, sustained a gunshot wound to the back and Kadeem Francis, 30, was shot in the foot. The shooting is believed to be gang-related.
Perry Allen-Thomas, 26, Amir Salem, 18, Shaquille Sutherland, 24, all from Wembley, and Tahjin Sommersal, 18, from Feltham, have each been charged with murder and two counts of attempted murder.
NORTHOLT-RAYNERS LANE GANG MURDER REVENGE TRIAL
Retrial at Stafford Crown Court on 12 Jan 2026.
In October 2020 Tamba Momodou, 20, a drug dealer originally from Rayners Lane in north west London, was shot dead in the car park of the Bridges Business Park in Horsehay, Telford, Shropshire. Momodou, whose street name was Teerose, had been acquitted of murdering Abdullahi Tarabi, aka TeeWizz, in Northolt in 2017. His murder is thought to have been in revenge for that murder. In May 2024 Deria Hassan, 32, and Mahamud Tarabi, 32, were charged with murder. Tarabi is the brother of Teewizz.
The first trial collapsed on 10 March 2025.
NORTH SEA SHIP COLLISION MANSLAUGHTER TRIAL
Trial at Old Bailey on 12 Jan 2026
Vladimir Motin, 59, captain of the MV Solong, a Portuguese-flagged container ship which collided with a US oil tanker in the North Sea (near the mouth of the Humber) is accused of gross negligence manslaughter.
The Solong collided with the Stena Immaculate on March 10, 2025.
All 23 people on the tanker were rescued along with 13 crew from the Solong, but Mark Angelo ernia – a 38-year-old Filipino – died.
MAN WHO SOLD SUICIDE TRIAL
Trial in Ontario, Canada in Jan 2026. Eight week trial.
Kenneth Law is set to stand trial on 14 counts each of first-degree murder and aiding suicide.
Law, 57, was arrested in Ontario and later charged with second degree murder and aiding suicide, after allegedly selling lethal substances to people across the world.
In the UK alone 88 suicides are linked to Law. An inquest in March 2025 heard Imogen Nunn, 25, took a chemical and died in Brighton, East Sussex, on January 1, 2023. The deaf young woman used her TikTok platform to raise awareness of hearing and mental health issues to her 780,000 followers.
COLD CASE MURDER TRIAL
Trial provisionally set for 2 Feb 2026 at Old Bailey.
Steve Wright, 66, is charged with the kidnap and murder of 17-year-old Victoria Hall, who disappeared on her way home from a nightclub in Suffolk in 1999.
Judge Martyn Levett
ETHICAL FORESTRY (COSTA RICA) FRAUD TRIAL
Trial pending at Southwark Crown Court on 2 Feb 2026. Plea management hearing 8 Jan 2024.
SFO charged Stephen Greenaway, Paul Laver and Matthew Pickard with two counts each of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and one count each of fraudulent trading. They were directors of Ethical Forestry Limited, a Bournemouth company which collapsed in 2015, owing millions to British investors. Between 2007 and 2008 Ethical Forestry Limited operated hardwood tree plantations in Costa Rica. Investors were asked to put in a minimum of £12,000 and were told the fast-growing saplings would be grown, logged and sold, giving them a substantial return on their investment.
HONG KONG STUDENTS INTIMIDATION TRIAL
Trial at Old Bailey on 2 March 2026. In for mention on 19 June
Chi (Peter) Leung Wai, 38, from Staines, Surrey; and Chung Biu Yuen, 63, from Hackney, east London, were charged with offences under the National Security Act.
A third defendant, former Royal Marine, Matthew Trickett, 37, an immigration enforcement officer and private investigator from Maidenhead, Berkshire, was found dead in a park in Maidenhead in May 2024. At their first appearance the prosecution had asked for Mr Trickett to be remanded in custody for his own welfare ahead of his next hearing at the Old Bailey. But he was granted bail and on May 19, Mr Trickett was found dead in Grenfell Park, Maidenhead.
ANTIGUA SOLAR FARM BRIBERY TRIAL
Trial pending at Southwark Crown Court in Jan 2027 (!)
Peter Virdee, 50, also known as Hardip Singh, has been charged with bribing a foreign public official. It is alleged that between January 2015 and July 2017 he bribed Asot Michael, a Member of Parliament and Government Minister of Tourism, Economic Development Investment and Energy for Antigua and Barbuda, to benefit PV Energy Ltd, the company he is a director of. PV Energy ltd was simultaneously charged with failing to prevent bribery in relation to the same offences.
ENCROCHAT DRUGS TRIAL (OPERATION DIREEN)
Trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court in June 2027
Nine people awaiting trial for multiple offences, all of which stem from evidence from Encrochat.
The defendants include Jermaine Ford-Simpson, 37 (04.08.83), of Elizabeth II Avenue, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, who has been charged with four counts of conspiracy to supply Class A and two counts of conspiracy to supply Class B drugs. Micah Ford-Simpson, 30, (18.06.90) of Southwold Road, Hackney, has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply class B drugs. Shaun Ford-Simpson, 35 (17.05.85) of Kit Hill Crescent, Plymouth, has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A and two counts of conspiracy to supply Class B drugs. Jamie Ford, 34 (01.06.86) of Viburnum Road, Almondsbury, Bristol, has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A and two counts of conspiracy to supply Class B drugs.
OPERATION ARBACIA (NEW IRA) TERRORISM TRIAL
Trial pending in Northern Ireland.
Several people, accused of being members of the New IRA, are awaiting trial following an MI5 investigation, codenamed Operation Arbacia.
They include: Issam Basalat, 62, a GP, from Edinburgh, who is accused of preparation of terrorist acts in relation to his attendance at an alleged meeting of the New IRA at an address at Buninver Road in Omagh, Co Tyrone, on 19 July 2020.
David Jordan, 49, of Cappagh Road, Dungannon, Co Tyrone, who is accused of belonging to a proscribed organisation between February 8 and July 20, directing a terrorist organisation, and preparation of terrorist acts through attending the same meeting at Buninver Road in Omagh, as well as attending a meeting in Sixmilecross on February 9.
Also charged: Sharon Jordan, 45, of Cappagh Road in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, Kevin Barry Murphy, 49, of Altowen Park, Coalisland, Co Tyrone, Damien McLaughlin, 44, of Kilmascally Road, Dungannon, Amanda McCabe, 49, of Ailsbury Gardens in Lurgan, Co Armagh, Gary Hayden, 48, of Tyrconnell Street in Londonderry, and Joseph Barr, 32, of Cecilia’s Walk in Londonderry, Shea Reynolds, 26, of Belvedere Manor in Lurgan, Co Armagh, and Patrick McDaid, 50, of Magowan Park in Derry.
In August 2022 two more men were charged: Gary Gerard MacNally, 62, a decorator from Barnfield Grange in Lisburn, Co Antrim, and unemployed Joseph Donnelly, 51, from Westrock Drive in Belfast, are accused of belonging or professing to belonging to a proscribed organisation, directing a terrorist organisation and preparating terrorist acts.
A detective chief inspector said part of the evidence involves audio dating from August 2020.
The alleged offences occurred between December 31 2019 and August 24 this year and included directing the activities of the Irish Republican Army and attending meetings in the vicinity of Whiterock Leisure Centre in Belfast with the intention of committing acts of terrorism, the court was told.
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