Latest news with #MarcusMonzo
Scottish Sun
12-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
How flood of super-strength cannabis is hitting Britain streets as its links to terrifying crime wave are revealed
Former addict reveals how he blames smoking cannabis as a teenager for his life of crime CANNABIS CRIMEBOMB How flood of super-strength cannabis is hitting Britain streets as its links to terrifying crime wave are revealed Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE amount of super-strength cannabis being smuggled in from abroad has escalated to a record high and is behind a terrifying crime wave sweeping Britain, the Sun on Sunday can reveal. More cannabis than any other drug was detected coming into the country by Border Force last year — with the black market in the illegal substance estimated to be worth £2.6billion. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 More cannabis than any other drug was detected coming into the country by Border Force last year Credit: Getty - Contributor 4 Daniel Anjorin was murdered in Hainault, Essex, while his killer was in a state of cannabis-induced psychosis Credit: PA 4 Drug-fuelled killer Marcus Monzo struck after taking cannabis Credit: PA Border officials seized 85 tonnes of herbal marijuana — up 73 per cent on the previous year — and around 480,000 plants and 416 tonnes of cannabis resin, up 183 per cent on 2023 figures. But despite the massive seizures, illegal drugs are still making their way on to the streets. Now we can reveal a new report has found a direct link between cannabis use and an 'increased risk of perpetration of physical violence, including aggravated assault, sexual aggression, fighting and robbery'. Criminology expert Dr Simon Harding, who helped compile the University of West London report, told the Sun on Sunday: 'The links between violence and cannabis are going under the radar. 'When there are calls for the decriminalisation or legalisation of cannabis, some are thinking of the cannabis of 30 or 40 years ago, which caused fits of giggles. Sword attack 'But what we're dealing with now is more like a Frankenstein genetically modified version of cannabis, with very high THC levels, which makes people very paranoid.' Our revelations come after Sir Andy Marsh, head of the College of Policing, demanded earlier this month that officers crack down on cannabis use. He said the smell of the plant-based drug, which is also known as marijuana or weed, made him 'feel unsafe' and 'is a sign of crime and disorder'. Dr Harding, who is also a regular expert witness at major drug trials, said the new strong cannabis being produced is leading to cases of psychosis. He cited the trial of Marcus Monzo, 37, who last month was found guilty of the murder of 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin in Hainault, Essex, while in a state of cannabis-induced psychosis. Smugglers hiding cannabis in luggage at record rates - but are barely trying to hide it Dr Harding said: 'We only have to point to this sword attack. 'Psychosis is not going to happen to everybody, but if you are prone to that and there may be underlying factors, it can be pretty serious stuff and the psychiatric facilities in the UK are full of people suffering from cannabis psychosis.' The influx of cannabis reaching our shores is, in part, fuelled by other countries legalising its use. Of the 173 cannabis smuggling cases already dealt with by our courts this year, the majority came from Thailand. Cannabis was legalised there three years ago, but has become so rife and problematic that last month the government there imposed new rules to try to tackle the issue. Drug lords in Canada, where cannabis is legal, and the US, where some states have followed suit, are also major exporters. When other parts of the world decriminalise, it has a knock-on effect in other places Dr Harding Last year there were 75 arrests related to cannabis originating from Canada, and 47 from the US, according to the National Crime Agency. Dr Harding says the marketing of different drug strains from abroad is increasingly sophisticated. Users are being offered an 'a la carte menu' with up to 50 choices. He said: 'The menus are available with different prices and I see it in every drug case I work on. People import it from parts of America and Thailand where it has been decriminalised. 'When other parts of the world decriminalise, it has a knock-on effect in other places.' Figures from the Office for National Statistics show the proportion of robberies taking place while offenders are under the influence of drugs was at 34 per cent in 2024 — up from 25 per cent in 2014. There has also been a worrying rise in children using THC or synthetic cannabis in vapes, with a number of schools issuing warnings to parents. Dr Harding says his report, which was funded by the London Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime, found the use of cannabis among youngsters is a terrifying 'gateway to other crime and to violence'. Youths preyed upon He said: 'This is something that goes under most people's radar. It was a big finding in my report.' It is also one of the major ways that youths are preyed upon. He explained: 'The biggest way to recruit for county lines gangs is to get a boy into debt. 'The dealer sells them a little bit of weed on tick for a few weeks. The kids think they have made a friend and they get weed for free. 'By the end of the month the boy has maybe smoked £50 of cannabis, then that dealer comes back and says the debt is £300 and if they don't pay they will be in trouble. 'They have to work it off — and that means shifting or transporting drugs for the dealers.' All you do is smell cannabis on the streets here now. It's terrible and it's out of control New York State Senator Mario Mattera But earlier this month, London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan called for the possession of 'small quantities of natural cannabis' to be decriminalised. He said it would address concerns that UK drug laws were harming relations between the police and ethnic communities. But in New York, where marijuana was legalised in March 2021, State Senator Mario Mattera warned such a move would be a disaster for our country. He told the Sun on Sunday: 'All you do is smell cannabis on the streets here now. It's terrible and it's out of control. 'We have created a monster, and more people are on drugs. 'The UK needs to look at the US states where the black market is running rampant. 'Look at the crime. Is that what you want? 'What has happened here should be a warning.' 'WEED AT 13 RUINED MY LIFE' 4 Paul Hannaford had been stabbed seven times and served 15 prison sentences before the age of 36 Credit: SWNS A FORMER addict blames smoking cannabis as a teenager for his life of crime. Paul Hannaford, now 55, used to fund his £500-a-day heroin and crack habit through shoplifting and drug dealing. He had been stabbed seven times and served 15 prison sentences before the age of 36. But Paul was a bright child with a talent for football growing up in Romford, East London. It all changed after he was introduced to 'weed' at 13. Within six months, he was smoking it every day. He told The Sun on Sunday: 'If I hadn't tried cannabis, I wouldn't have committed crimes. 'I started with weed, but it made me lazy and affected my mental health. I got chucked out of three schools in one year. 'In every city I go to these days, addiction is getting worse and a lot of it starts off with cannabis. 'Nobody's first drug is crack cocaine or heroin. Weed was the gateway drug.' Now clean for 18 years, Paul gives talks in schools and prisons about the dangers of drugs. He said: 'If fewer people smoked cannabis there would be less crime and fewer mental health issues.'
NZ Herald
27-06-2025
- NZ Herald
Life sentence for man who killed schoolboy in London sword rampage
A Spanish-Brazilian man who killed and nearly decapitated a London schoolboy with a Samurai-type sword in a 20-minute orgy of violence was on Friday jailed for life. Marcus Monzo, 37, who had become psychotic from taking cannabis, was found guilty by a jury earlier this week of murdering 14-year-old Daniel
The Independent
27-06-2025
- 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.'
BBC News
27-06-2025
- 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
27-06-2025
- 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.
