Latest news with #Hainault
The Guardian
13 hours ago
- The Guardian
Man jailed for at least 40 years for sword murder of London boy Daniel Anjorin
A man has been jailed for at least 40 years for the 'wicked' murder of the schoolboy Daniel Anjorin during a 20-minute rampage in east London. Marcus Arduini Monzo, 37, fatally slashed Daniel with a samurai sword minutes after the 14-year-old left his home in Hainault on 30 April last year. In a televised sentencing, Mr Justice Bennathan jailed Monzo for life with a minimum term of 40 years for murder, and for attacking three other members of the public and two police officers. The judge described a 'peaceful, busy scene' being 'devastated as members of the public were attacked, police officers were gravely injured, a couple were terrified in their own home, and a clever, talented, much-loved young boy was killed by a savage blow with a sword. You, Marcos Arduini Monzo, did all of that.' Earlier, Daniel's father, Ebenezer Anjorin, had condemned Monzo's 'wicked' actions and described losing his son as his 'worst nightmare'. Speaking publicly about it for the first time, Anjorin described the moment he saw his fatally injured son lying in the street. 'I did not realise that it was Daniel at first but, as I got closer, I recognised the school sports clothes and saw his face. He was lying in a pool of blood and had a deep cut to his face running from the side of his mouth to the back of his neck. He was motionless. I knew at once that he was dead, but I reached down, called his name and held his head.' After a few minutes, he said, he called Daniel's mother, who screamed and cried when she arrived home and saw paramedics trying to resuscitate her son, who died later in hospital. Anjorin said he could not begin to describe the 'pain and anguish' the family felt at losing Daniel, who was academically gifted and enjoyed sports and music. 'We will not see him get married or have children. All the normal things parents hope for their children. All these hopes and aspirations have been cruelly snatched away from us through the wicked actions of Marcus Monzo. It has been the worst nightmare experience of our lives. To have to go through the pain of losing a child in such a cruel and savage way. No family should have to go through this.' In his sentencing, Bennathan said the police officers involved 'behaved with exemplary courage and put their lives on the line to protect the public they served'. He also paid tribute to the 'calm dignified' manner of Daniel's relatives throughout the trial, and said no sentence would 'begin to temper' their grief. Speaking outside court afterwards, the boy's parents, Grace and Ebenezer, agreed, saying: 'No verdict or sentence can bring back our son Daniel, who we loved so dearly, but we are grateful that justice has been served.' They added: 'His life had so much potential ahead. He was gifted academically, was kind and had a generous spirit that touched everyone who knew him … We honour Daniel's memory not in the shadow of this tragedy but through the love and happiness that he brought to us and all those who knew him.' The court had heard Monzo drove his van into Donato Iwule, who ran away screaming as the attacker got out of the vehicle and came at him with a sword. Monzo then attacked Daniel from behind, causing unsurvivable neck injuries. When PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield tried to detain Monzo, he repeatedly struck her with 'savage' blows, causing severe injuries. He burst into the home of Henry De Los Rios Polania and Sindy Arias, who had been asleep with their young child nearby. Insp Moloy Campbell cornered Monzo in a car park and ran in with his baton raised but was slashed on the hand. Officers eventually detained the delivery driver, who had become psychotic after taking cannabis. Afterwards, Monzo, who had viewed far-right and misogynistic content on social media, claimed to have an alternate persona of a 'professional assassin'. A jury in his Old Bailey trial found Monzo guilty of Daniel's murder, and the attempted murder of Iwule, Arias and Mechem-Whitfield. He was convicted of wounding De Los Rios Polania and Campbell with intent. He was also convicted of aggravated burglary and having an article with a blade or point. He admitted possessing the samurai sword used to kill Daniel and a katana sword found in his van.
The Independent
19 hours ago
- The Independent
Daniel Anjorin's parents describe heartbreak after sword killer jailed for life
The father of 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin has spoken of his heartbreak after the schoolboy's killer was jailed for at least 40 years. Marcus Monzo, 37, was sentenced at the Old Bailey after embarking on a 20-minute rampage through Hainault, east London, on April 30 last year. He was also convicted of attacking three more members of the public and two police officers. Speaking outside court after the sentencing on Friday, Dr Ebenezer Anjorin said it marked the end of a 'painful and deeply traumatic chapter' and paid tribute to their son's 'generous spirit'. Reading a statement alongside Daniel's mother, Grace, he said: 'This has been a painful and deeply traumatic chapter in our lives. 'No verdict or sentence can bring back our son Daniel, who we loved so dearly, but we are grateful that justice has been served. 'Daniel was taken from us in a way that no family should ever have to endure. 'His life had so much potential ahead. 'He was gifted academically, was kind and had a generous spirit that touched everyone who knew him. 'We carry that light with us, even in this dark time. 'We want to express our deepest thanks to the police, prosecution team, and all those who worked tirelessly to seek the truth. 'Your dedication has meant more than words can fully convey. 'To everyone who has supported us through this ordeal, friends, family, our church, our workplaces, our children's schools and even strangers, thank you. 'Your love and support has been a lifeline. 'We honour Daniel's memory, not in the shadow of this tragedy but through the love and happiness that he brought to us and all those who knew him. 'Thank you.'
The Independent
20 hours ago
- The Independent
Daniel Anjorin's father describes ‘painful and traumatic chapter' after son's killer jailed for life
The family of a boy murdered with a samurai sword in an unprovoked attack in east London last year has described losing their son as a 'painful and deeply traumatic chapter.' Daniel Anjorin, 14, was walking to school in his PE kit when he was ambushed by Marcus Arduini Monzo during a 20-minute rampage in Hainault. Monzo, 37, was convicted on Wednesday (25 June) of Daniel's murder, three counts of attempted murder, wounding with intent, aggravated burglary, and possessing a bladed article. He was sentenced to life on Friday. Daniel's father, Dr Ebenezer Anjorin, said: 'Daniel was taken from us in a way that no family should ever have to endure.' 'His life had so much potential ahead,' he added.
BBC News
21 hours ago
- BBC News
Daniel Anjorin's parents talk of their loss after killer jailed
The heartbroken family of murdered schoolboy Daniel Anjorin have spoken after his killer was ordered to serve at least 38 years in Monzo fatally wounded the 14-year-old with a samurai sword after he left his home in Hainault, east London, on 30 April last sentence at the Old Bailey, Judge Mr Justice Bennathan said Monzo inflicted an "unsurvivable wound".Outside court Daniel's mother, Grace Anjorin, was joined by his father, Dr Ebenezer Anjorin, who read the following statement. This has been a painful and deeply traumatic chapter in our lives. No verdict or sentence can bring back our son Daniel, who we loved so dearly but we are grateful that justice has been was taken from us in a way that no family should ever have to endure. His life had so much potential ahead. He was gifted academically, was kind and had a generous spirit that touched everyone who knew carry that light with us, even in this dark time. We want to express our deepest thanks to the police, prosecution team, and all those who worked tirelessly to seek the truth. Your dedication has meant more than words can fully convey. To everyone who has supported us through this ordeal, friends, family, our church, our workplaces, our children's schools and even strangers: thank you. Your love and support has been a honour Daniel's memory not in the shadow of this tragedy but through the love and happiness that he brought to us and all those who knew him. Thank you.
Sky News
a day ago
- Sky News
Hainault trial sentencing as it happened: Marcus Monzo jailed to life for sword attack that killed Daniel Anjorin, 14
We're ending our live coverage That's all from us at the Old Bailey, where Marcus Monzo was sentenced to life behind bars. He will only get his first chance at parole in 38 years and 309 days. The 37-year-old was found guilty of murdering Daniel Anjorin, 14, and the attempted murder of three others during a 20-minute rampage with a samurai sword in Hainault on 30 April last year. To catch up on today's key developments, browse through the key points above - or scroll through this quick recap: Monzo was told by the judge "you must have known he was a boy" before he swung his sword at Daniel - sentencing him to at least 40 years in total, minus time already served on remand; Daniel's family - in a statement read by his father - said no family should endure what they have, but added they will honour his life "though the love and happiness" he brought; Monzo was "clearly psychotic", the judge said, as he praised the courage of police officers who approached him that day; He did show "some remorse" in a letter written for the judge, while his defence team said he would "turn back the clock" if he could; But survivors of his attack called for justice in their victim impact statements, detailing severe physical and emotional harm from Monzo's sword attack. Watch below: The moment Monzo is jailed for life 'We carry Daniel's light even in this dark time', says Anjorin family Daniel Anjorin was taken from his loved ones in a way "no family should have to endure", his father says. Dr Ebenezer Anjorin tells reporters his son had "so much potential ahead". "He was gifted academically, was kind and had a generous spirit that touched everyone who knew him," he adds. "We carry that light with us even in this dark time." Speaking briefly alongside Daniel's mum, Grace Anjorin, he also says they "honour Daniel's memory". "Not in the shadow of this tragedy," he adds. "But through the love and happiness he brought to us, and to all those who knew him. Thank you." Daniel Anjorin's father giving statement for family now Dr Ebenezer Anjorin, Daniel's dad, is now giving a statement to the media outside court. He's speaking on behalf of the family, after his son's killer Marcus Monzo was sentenced to life in prison. Watch in the live stream at the top of this page - we'll also provide text updates here. Watch: How the sword attack murder unfolded Marcus Arduini Monzo murdered 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin and attacked five others. Here's how that morning unfolded, from crashing a van into a pedestrian to his eventual arrest. As we've just been reporting, he will now spend a minimum of nearly 39 years in prison. Warning: This footage includes disturbing scenes Judge: Daniel's father showed composure that most of us would find impossible The judge said Daniel Anjorin's father's witness statement (see 12.57 post) was "a hard read, so heartbreaking are its contents". Mr Justice Bennathan continued: "Daniel was a clever boy. He was gifted musically, and played a variety of sports well. He was a happy child, and his loss is obviously devastating to his parents, and his brother and sister, and his grandparents." He also praised the conduct of Daniel's father, Dr Ebenezer Anjorin, throughout the trial. He said he acted in a "calm, dignified manner" and showed "a composure that most of us would find impossible". "I am very conscious that no sentence I pass can even begin to temper Daniel's family's grief," he said just before handing down his sentence. Judge said Monzo was 'clearly psychotic' and praised police courage Just before he passed his sentence, the judge told Marcus Monzo he was "clearly psychotic" during the attack. "You choosing to consume cannabis was the dominant cause of the state you were in that day. You knew it made you paranoid and could lead to panic attacks," he said. He said PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield - who he seriously injured with several "savage blows" - acted "totally fearlessly" to try to stop him hurting others. He said PC Cameron King, who had been with PC Mechem-Whitfield when she was stabbed, placed himself between her and the attacker, "probably saving her life". He added that Inspector Moloy Campbell - one of the other first responding officers - showed "great bravery and leadership, tried to disarm or subdue you with his baton, only to be caught by a powerful swing of your sword, leaving him with a deep chopping wound to his right hand". "Soon afterwards, you were stopped and detained by a number of police officers using tasers that finally brought you under control," he added. He said all officers at the scene "behaved with exemplary courage and put their lives on the line to try to protect the public" and should be "proud". Video shows 'extraordinary bravery' of officers confronting Monzo In his sentencing remarks moments ago, the judge praised officers who responded with "exemplary courage" to the attack last year and confronted Marcus Monzo. The Metropolitan Police commissioner echoed that message before today's sentencing, hailing "extraordinary bravery". Sir Mark Rowley praised their "relentless courage" in a statement shared alongside a video of the moment officers approached Monzo. It shows them chasing after him, before one officer is attacked while another shouts, "police officer stabbed". Other officers are seen confronting Monzo, before it shows him being put in handcuffs. "Many will remember the events that unfolded in Hainault in April last year and the shock waves that they sent through communities," Sir Mark said. "The two elements of this case which drew such attention were, of course, the horrendous killing of Daniel, but second to that, the most extraordinary bravery of our officers who responded that day." Watch the police force's video below Life-changing injuries Police on the scene were "desperate to protect the community", Sir Mark said, and ran "towards an erratic and violent man" who had just killed a young child and injured others. PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield was hit with "extreme force" three times with the 60cm long blade as she chased Monzo through alleyways and residential properties. Inspector Moloy Campbell tried to detain Monzo in a car park - he suffered a slash wound to his hand. Sir Mark said two officers received "life-changing injuries". "And despite seeing their colleagues suffer those injuries, additional officers, without hesitation, continued to pursue the suspect, using every tactic available to stop this rampage," he added. Monzo jailed for life Marcus Monzo has been sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 40 years. Mr Justice Bennathan told him, including time he has already served, he will be in prison for 38 years and 309 days before he is eligible for parole. "Mr Monzo can go to jail," the judge says. It is possible he will never be released. After that time, he may be eligible for parole, but much will depend on his behaviour and remorse until then. He will be at least 75 at that point. You must have known he was a child, judge tells Monzo The judge describes a "peaceful" setting before the attack on 30 April last year. He tells Marcus Monzo - who is in court wearing a bright green hooded top and light grey sweatpants - he caused a "devastating" scene. Monzo killed a "clever, talented, much-loved" young boy - Daniel Anjorin, 14 - with a "savage blow" of a sword. "You, Marcus Monzo, did all of that," he says. He says Monzo drove to Hainault in a "clearly psychotic state", and first tried to murder pedestrian Donato Iwule. "You then must have seen Daniel Anjorin," he says. "You must have known he was a child, a schoolboy. You came up behind him and struck him in the neck." The judge also pays tribute to a heroic passerby, Nathan Hutchinson, who tried to help Daniel, before he was "forced back" by Monzo. Judge now delivering sentencing remarks The judge is now in place and has started to give his sentencing remarks, which you can watch live in the stream at the top of this page. He will soon reveal Marcus Monzo's jail time - stay with us for updates.
