A killer has been sentenced to 30 years after shooting a man dead at a party and then fleeing to the Caribbean. Chase Griffith, 22, of Ashfield Parade, Southgate, shot dead Sam Brown, 28, at a party on Cheney Row Park, Walthamstow, on July 23 2022.
About 150 people went to the party, and at some point during the early hours of July 24, a man was stabbed. Griffith believed Sam had committed the stabbing, and shot him dead as a result.
The Old Bailey heard that Sam managed to stagger to his car and drive a short distance before collapsing. Griffith fled to St Lucia on July 27 from Gatwick Airport, having changed his appearance by cutting his hair.
Sam Brown, 28, was shot dead by Chase Griffith in July 2022 (Image: Met Police)
However he was tracked down and extradited on December 8. In a statement following the trial Sam’s family said: “We will never have any closure to what actually happened to our son that night. We all have to move on with our lives as we know that’s what Sam would want us to do. He will always be our angel and never forgotten.”
Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Allen who led the investigation said: “This sentence brings an end to a long and painstaking investigation by officers from the Met assisted by colleagues at the National Crime Agency. I am very grateful for their assistance with the extradition of Griffith."
He added: “Sam Brown was gunned down in the street by Chase Griffith in an act of perceived revenge following a stabbing that had taken place earlier that night. Griffith then fled the country to Saint Lucia, while Sam’s family grieved his brutal murder.
“Thanks to diligent detective work, using CCTV and other forensic evidence, a watertight case was built against Griffith allowing his arrest and extradition back to the UK to face justice. My thoughts today are with Sam’s family who have my deepest sympathy.”
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A man extradited from the Netherlands has been charged with murdering a man in east London. Saqib Khan, 22, was arrested by Dutch authorities on December 4 and returned to the UK on January 12, where he was taken into custody.
He was charged with the murder of Anselam Senaj, 26, who died in Newham on November 11. Police were called just after 10pm to reports that a man had been stabbed inside a car at the junction of Victoria Avenue and Grangewood Street.
Despite the efforts of emergency services, Mr Senaj died at the scene.
The Dockland's Light Railway is known for its driverless trains but this year the experience will be heightened. You can continue to sit at the front of the vehicle but to add to the atmosphere there will be fake steering wheels installed so it feels as if you are in control.
Aimed at children, these cardboard steering wheels are part of an effort to bring the line to life. Tens of thousands of people have sat at the front of the trains pretending to be driver, and Sadiq Khan has announced a trial that could now include a steering wheel and stickers mimicking control panels to create a more realistic driving experience.
This trial scheme will see control stickers and wheels added to the front of ten DLR trains this month, with the potential of being rolled out further in the future. DLR trains are fully automated hence the lack of driver but members of staff are able to take over control on board.
The scheme is set to roll out on DLR trains this month (Image: Getty)
The gimmick was suggested by the Liberal Democrat assembly member Caroline Pidgeon just after Christmas. In response to Pidgeon, Khan said: “TfL will be trialling ‘driving the train’ vinyl stickers across 10 trains in January 2024, and is exploring a number of other customer and community engagement activities to support the introduction of new DLR trains.
“As part of this, TfL will consider how it brings to life the ‘driving the DLR’ experience for children. This could involve cardboard steering wheels.
"TfL will review learnings from the front seat ‘driving the train’ vinyl sticker trial in early 2024 before finalising plans.” This initiative comes after many passengers share photos and videos of them pretending to drive the train on social media.
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More 'disruptive' snow could hit the capital next week after this Monday's surprise flurry, the Met Office said. The meteorologists have provided a long-range weather forecast that details the possibility of snow between Monday 15 January and Wednesday 24 January.
Chilly northerly winds blowing south from colder northern areas are likely to develop widely across the UK, the prediction reads. It said the cooler weather starting in the north can mix with unsettled southern gusts causing snow.
The Met Office said there is "a risk of snow showers, most frequent across the north. Temperatures remaining cold, and a marked wind chill especially in the north. There is risk of unsettled weather pushing in from the south through this period, which could lead to a band of snow and sleet where it meets the colder air across the country."
Light snow could fall on London again within the week (Image: Tai Kolade/MyLondon)
Despite the worrying prediction, the Met Office admits there is low confidence when we can actually expect to see any snow. However, it said: "There is an increasing risk of something potentially disruptive at some point in this period."
The weather service also laid out some warnings about the upcoming cold weather. It said: "Widespread frosts continue to be a feature by night, with a risk of ice in places."
Looking at their daily weather predictions snow is expected to fall on Wednesday 17 January. The showers are due to start as sleet with snow and rain showers mixing at 3pm on Wednesday next week. This will continue until 6pm too. At 9pm, however, there is due to be pure snowfall. During these snow showers, which have a 60 per cent chance of happening, the temperature will be 4°C at 3pm then fall to 3°C at 6pm until 9pm, though it will feel 3 degrees colder the weather service says.
What do other weather services say?
WXCharts also thinks it will snow but a day later than the Met Office has said, agreeing with BBC Weather that the next snow day will be 18 January. The purple bit shows the level of snowfall (Image: WXCharts)
Other weather services have also weighed in on the possibility of snowfall. BBC Weather also thinks it could snow, but put the shower just a day later. On Thursday 18 January BBC Weather say it will snow briefly at 4am and it may appear as sleet with rainy showers mixing with snow in a chilly 2°C.
BBC Weather's prediction goes further to say that there will be a four-hour snowy sleety shower on Saturday 20 January too, though in the early hours between 2am and 5am. They predict about a 50 per cent chance of this happening with slightly warmer temperatures of 4°C gracing the capital.
WXCharts say that the snow will stay till about 12pm on 18 January and then dissipate more to the east (Image: WXCharts)
WXCharts also thinks that London will be hit by a period of snowy showers, and they too believe it will hit on Thursday 18 January, like the BBC - slightly later than the Met Office. Judging by their map, it seems as though the unsettled weather the met Office mentioned in their long-range prediction from the south comes from France on 18 January meaning quite heavy snow for the South East of England. The snowy flurries are due to start at about 6am, according to WXCharts, and London is just about split in half with the northern part getting more rain and the southern part more snow - up to 0.6cm an hour of it in places.
By 12pm the showers seem to dissipate a bit above the city and more rain moves in as the unsettled weather moves off to the east. The whole day is due to be between 2°C and 3°C as well so wrap up warm.
Another weather prediction service, AccuWeather, has said they do not believe there will be any snow in the period laid out by the Met Office, instead saying there will be rainy showers on 17 January, sun with cloud on 18 January and more rain on 20 January, previously picked by the BBC as a snow day. The temperatures are much more mild on AccuWeather, never reaching below 2°C on any of the possible snow days and reaching as high as 8°C on 17 January.
So there is much debate about when exactly snow could hit the capital but more predictions services say there will be some snow than there won't be any. It is likely wise to heed the Met Office's warnings of disruption and risk of ice.
A nightmare flatmate threw a pot of boiling oil over a man after having thoughts about mass murder, a court heard. Ivan Bonaparte carried out the bizarre plan to give himself a roof over his head, albeit a prison one, after facing eviction because he spent all his rent money on skunk - a high strength strain of cannabis linked to a higher risk of psychotic mental health episodes.
The 33-year-old was jailed for six years at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday, January 8, after a long history of violence which escalated to an unprovoked attack on his roomie, Daniel Asianicasi, at their home on Cambeys Road in Dagenham in July 2023. Bonaparte admitted grievous bodily harm and possession of a hammer after handing himself into Dagenham police station 40 minutes later.
The Portuguese national was previously spared jail by a judge at Liverpool Crown Court in 2020 after telling another flatmate 'That will be one less gay in the world' while threatening him with a claw hammer and boiling kettle at their bedsit in Southport, Liverpool Echo reports. Bonaparte's previous convictions include GBH against his dad, common assault and breach of a restraining order.
Ivan Bonaparte will now spend the next six years in jail after admitting GBH (Image: Liverpool Echo)
On July 30 2023, Bonaparte boiled a large metal pot of oil on the stovetop and threw it over Mr Asianicasi while he was cooking dinner with his back turned, causing full thickness burns over eight per cent of his body, prosecutor Greg Unwin said. The victim then ran outside screaming for the landlord to call an ambulance and police, and then back inside to run cold water over his blistering skin.
Mr Asianicasi later told police he had not spoken to Bonaparte for two months, but recalled an incident in February 2023 when his attacker smashed his door with a hammer because he was watching TV too loudly. Other roomies vouched for Bonaparte's behaviour, telling police he was 'aggressive and unpredictable' and 'someone to be fearful of', Mr Unwin told the court.
Under questioning, Bonaparte said he was depressed, had lost his job, was behind on rent, and feared he would be made street homeless if evicted. His idea, Mr Unwin explained, was to throw boiling oil over his flatmate to get 'a long prison sentence and help and support'. Another resident tried to talk him out of it as they smoked cannabis together, but after a short nap the plan went ahead.
"He went to the kitchen and began cooking the oil... He said the moment he picked up the oil his heart was shaking because he knew what he was about to do. He knew it would cause serious burns and scarring and even a risk of death. His own feelings were more important to him at the time than those of the victim," said Mr Unwin.
Bonaparte also had a hammer in his waistband in case he was attacked, and raised it as Mr Asianicasi ran from the kitchen screaming in pain. In the same interview, he told police he had been 'having thoughts of mass murder' and this incident showed he was 'capable of doing something very serious', Mr Unwin added.
The bedsit in Cambeys Road, Dagenham, where Ivan Bonaparte threw boiling oil on his roomie (Image: Google)
Mr Asianicasi was rushed to Queen's Hospital in Romford, then to the burns unit at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, Essex, where he received a skin graft from his thigh to treat burns on his shoulder and back. The attack left him in 'very very bad' pain for weeks, with scars on his face, back, shoulder, and legs, and at constant risk of infection with his skin still peeling weeks later.
In an impact statement, he said: "When I was in hospital after what happened I was confused as I did not understand why he did this. We had no discussion before the attack. He just did this.
"Ivan is a threat to anyone around him. Most discussions we had he was convinced he was right. If someone disagreed he would become angry and threatening... One time I was watching TV on my day off and he hit my door with a hammer because he wanted me to turn the TV down."
Defence barrister Danny Barnard said his client had 'extreme remorse' and had told him 'The guy did not deserve it and I feel really really bad about what I did'. Explaining his reasoning for the offence, Mr Barnard said Bonaparte spent £120 a week on a 'very strong' strain of skunk cannabis which had left him in rent arrears and impending homelessness.
The hearing was held at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Hollybush Hill in Wanstead (Image: Getty Images)
Judge Alison Levitt KC considered Bonaparte's physically abusive upbringing, at the hands of his father, but shared 'particular concern' about his future risk to members of the public as she passed an extended sentence of six years plus another four on license, with four months to run concurrently for possession of an offensive weapon.
She referred to his previous conviction in 2020, when he boiled a kettle and threatened to scald the victim, prompting a probation officer to warn 'Prison cannot be the answer to Mr Bonaparte's problems, especially when it involves the harm of others'. She called the use of boiling oil an 'escalation' from the threat of boiling water.
"This was a completely unprovoked attack, the victim had done nothing to deserve this. They had done nothing to provoke it. It was done because you thought you would become street homeless," Judge Levitt said. She also handed Bonaparte an indefinite restraining order which bans him from contacting the victim or returning to his old address.
An immersive drag show is being hosted at a new West End venue based on a 1994 cult classic film. HERE @ Outernet, a 2,000-capacity underground venue, is celebrating 30 years of The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert.
Staged by the creative team behind the musical version, the experience will feature the same award-winning costumes and headdresses. Priscilla The Party will open on Monday, March 25, and you can book tickets here.
The party and countless musicals have been based on the 1994 film The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert. It follows two drag queens and their transgender friend as they travel across the Australian outback to perform a show.
Despite its comedic tones, the film is also full of tender moments. It's widely credited as one of the first films to introduce mainstream 90s audiences to LGBTQ+ themes, and remains a classic today.
The party is based on The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Image: Channel 4)
At Priscilla The Party, the story will unfold around the dancefloor. You get to be part of the party, or you can enjoy it from seating around the dance floor.
Director Simon Phillips said: “We’ve been telling theatregoers this story in over 30 countries now, for nearly two decades and, no matter where we have played around the world, multi-generational, diverse audiences – actually, anyone intent on having a good time – have felt more than welcome at a Priscilla show.
The immersive party is taking place at Outernet (Image: Matt Brown/Flickr/CC BY 2.0 DEED)
"Given the immense mainstream visibility and recognition drag is enjoying, there has surely never been a better time to celebrate this heartfelt tale of love, friendship and acceptance and this spectacular, interactive production will embrace its audience, immersing them in an experience they will never forget.
"Presented at the exciting HERE @ Outernet venue in Denmark Street in the heart of Soho, this ultimate celebration of Priscilla’s coming of age will bring everyone together with simply the best in feel-good entertainment!”
Priscilla The Party tells the same story of friends hopping aboard Priscilla the bus in search of love and friendship. Priscilla The Party is at HERE @ Outernet from March 3 to September 30, and you can book tickets here.
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Wowcher is back with another of their mystery deals, this time focusing on fashion and accessory. Basically, you buy a ticket for either £9.99 (standard) or £19.99 (luxury), with the chance to bag some very high value products - including Louis Vuitton, Tiffany and Gucci.
Then once the drawer is closed, you will be assigned one of the prizes. The most valuable item on the standard draw is the Tiffany Infinity Endless Bracelet, valued at £215 and the highest on the luxury drawer is a Louis Vuitton passport holder for £310.
In standard, other items include a Gucci GG Marmont Bracelet (£205), a Coach Wyn Clutch in Colourblock (£125, down from £250). On the other end of the spectrum, you can also get a unisex hoodie blanket (£28.99 - £99.99 depending on size), magnetic couple holding hand socks (£9.99 to £16.99) and fluffy warm scarf (£29.99 to £39.99).
Then in luxury you've got Gucci Square sunglasses (£280), a Coach Willow Camera bag (£165, down from £275) and Tiffany Open Heart Pendant (£180). The lowest value item is the three in one £24.99 Pom Pom Winter hooded scarf mittens.
The Tiffany Infinity Endless Bracelet, valued at £215, is one of the top prizes (Image: Tiffany)
You have to pay a £3.99 on top of the raffle price to receive your item. MyLondon tested out the Wowcher Mystery Deal back in July last year - and our reporter Lea said she would "pay gain for the thrill". Testing out the His and Her £10 mystery gift deal, gifts included things, "from a £500 gift card to either Selfridges or Amazon to Vivienne Westwood's Farah earrings, the prizes were more than exciting. Being the selfless person I always am, I also grabbed a deal for him - my partner would love the Phillips multigroomer."
She wrote: "While the gifts weren't what I was hoping for, I thoroughly enjoyed my Wowcher experience. Buying and redeeming the vouchers was as simple as it comes, and the fun of wondering what I might receive outweighed any disappointment once they arrived."
