A £20,000 reward is on offer for information that could help police lock up a killer.
Imran Maroof was just 20 years old when he was stabbed to death in Newham's Plashet Park on July 27 last year. Despite a quick police response, his killer got away.
Police had first been called to reports of a fight, and when they got there found Imran. The best efforts of paramedics weren't enough to save him, however, and he died at the scene.
"The murder has had a profound impact," DCI Samantha Townsend said, "Imran's family and friends continue to live with the trauma.
If you have any information at all, get in touch with police (Image: James Maloney/Lancs Live)
"One year has passed since this senseless killing, and the Met remains committed to bringing those who killed Imran to justice. If you were in the vicinity of Plashet Park on the day of the stabbing or know anything that could help us, we need you to contact us."
Alexa Loukas, London Regional Manager for charity Crimestoppers, which is offering the reward, said: "We know that some people may be reluctant or worried to speak directly to the police with information, which is why Crimestoppers is here. We are completely independent and guarantee you will remain 100% anonymous when you contact us.
"We offer a safe way for anyone to come forward and tell us what they know but not who they are. We are unable to identify any phone numbers or IP addresses if you are reporting online.
"Imran’s family deserve answers, and we hope this reward will encourage someone to do the right thing and speak up with any information that may help the police."
Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting crime reference 6541/27JUL.
Alternatively, to remain anonymous, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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A woman from Lewisham with a history of paranoid schizophrenia has been jailed after killing her landlord - who was also her close friend - along with their cat. Habiba Naveed, 34, described after her arrest being told by a voice to kill him, and believing that Christopher Brown, 72, was evil.
On Tuesday (July 24), she was given a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act and a restriction order under Section 41, meaning she can be kept behind bars indefinitely. This followed her previous guilty plea to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.
An investigation was first launched after neighbours' attention was drawn to the house on Polsted Road in August last year, apparently by the sounds of a woman screaming. When police arrived, they found Mr Brown's body, as well as that of his and Ms Naveed's cat, Snow.
Ms Naveed, who rented a room in the house owned by Mr Brown, was arrested later that same day. The day after, she was charged with murder.
Christopher Brown is 'sorely missed by his family and loved ones'
Being interviewed by a psychiatrist after her arrest, Ms Naveed recounted hearing a voice tell her three times to kill Mr Brown, believing he was evil, and knowing as she killed him that what she was doing was wrong. She hit him with a pan, strangled him, and then hit him again. Blunt force trauma to the head, neck and chest was the given cause of death.
Once she had killed Mr Brown, Ms Naveed had believed the 'evil spirit' entered their cat. She cut Snow's neck as a result.
In January this year, she pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
DCI Kate Blackburn said: “Today’s sentencing concludes our investigation into the death of a man killed in his own home by a woman he lived with, trusted and considered his friend.
"Habiba Naveed has an established history of paranoid schizophrenia. The circumstances of this case highlight the dangers of the illicit use of cannabis and non-compliance with medication prescribed to manage serious mental health conditions.
“Christopher, who was Naveed’s landlord, still worked as a solicitor. He was an incredibly private and well-respected man within the community who is sorely missed by his family and loved ones. Our thoughts are with them today.”
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A distraught mum has been left in a state of ‘emotional turmoil’ following the ‘brutal daylight shooting’ of her son last year. Jesse Lloyd-Smith, 20, was found bleeding out by his mum after she heard gunshots ring out in East Surrey Grove, Peckham, on Wednesday, July 10, last year.
Jesse was raced to hospital where he died the next day. A man, also from Southwark has been found guilty of murder.
Gabriel Charles, 19, was found to have driven towards a Peckham alleyway in a silver Ford S-Max. It passed the Damilola Taylor Centre, turned the corner and stopped before he leapt out and pelted towards Jesse.
Ben Nguyen, 20, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice (Image: Met Police)
He fired a gun five times, with one of the bullets causing fatal wounds. Charles fled the country after the killing, but was arrested and charged with murder in November 2024 when he returned.
‘A vibrant young man’
Enver Francis, 22, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice (Image: Met Police)
Ty Lloyd-Smith, Jesse’s mum said: “To those responsible for the brutal daylight shooting of my beloved son, I wish to express the overwhelming emotional turmoil our family and friends continue to face. The loss of a vibrant young man, filled with potential and dreams, serves as a heart-breaking reminder of the fragility of life.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the homicide team for their relentless patience, commitment, and dedication in bringing these perpetrators to justice. Their tireless efforts have provided us with a glimmer of hope amidst our pain. Additionally, we are profoundly thankful for the compassion and care given by the London Air Ambulance team during our son's critical time of need. Their quick actions and heartfelt support made a difference in his final moments.
“We urge the community to come together and advocate for a safer environment for our children. Together, we can make a difference. Fighting for justice is not just for our loved ones but for every child in our community who deserves to live without fear. We ask for support in creating initiatives that foster safety, understanding, and compassion.”
‘A mother should never experience the loss of a child’
Kywan JN Pierre, 18, was also found guilty of perverting the course of justice (Image: Met Police)
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila said: “A mother should never experience the loss of a child, particularly as a result of violent crime. Our thoughts remain with Jesse’s family, who have demonstrated unwavering resilience and togetherness over the year and throughout the trial.
“The impact of gun crime is horrific. I hope this conviction acts as a deterrent to anyone considering carrying out acts of extreme violence. Justice will be served.”
Five people charged with perverting the course of justice at The Old Bailey
Kadjo Kadio, 21, was found guilty of perverting the cpurse of justice (Image: Met Police)
Abdoul Guene, 18, of Peckham.
Kywan JN Pierre, 18, of Selhurst.
Ben Nguyen, 20, of no fixed address.
Kadjo Kadio, 21, of Romford.
Enver Francis, 22, of Southwark.
A 17-year-old was also charged, but they cannot be identified for legal reasons.
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This summer has been a bit of a whirlwind, and successive heatwaves have yielded to grim drizzle and even a handful of thunderstorms. But there's hope on the horizon - all's not lost for July.
Indeed, we're set to see the return of the sun next week. Monday, July 28 through to Tuesday, August 5 will all be sunny, with the exception of Sunday, August 3, which is just going to be a bit cloudy.
This isn't without getting a bit wetter first, though, unfortunately. While today (Wednesday, July 23), Thursday (July 24) and Friday (July 25) should all be dry, the heavens will open come the weekend. Great.
It will only be light rain with light winds, but still, it's not really what you want from this time of the year.
We'll have to put up with more rain before we see the sun again (Image: zoranm/Getty Images)
The interesting thing is that temperatures will remain pretty steady throughout this period, from late July into early August. Sunny skies don't seem to affect the temperature all that much, with early to mid-20s predominating.
Sadly, that means this weekend will have the worst of all weathers - hot, so you want to do stuff outside, but rainy, so you bloody well can't.
You can check out the full forecast for the next couple of weeks below, courtesy of BBCWeather :
Wednesday, July 23 - Light cloud and light winds, highs of 23C, lows of 15C
Thursday, July 24 - Light cloud and a gentle breeze, highs of 22C, lows of 15C
Friday, July 25 - Sunny intervals and light winds, highs of 27C, lows of 16C
Saturday, July 26 - Light rain and light winds, highs of 25C, lows of 15C
Sunday, July 27 - Light rain and light winds, highs of 23C, lows of 13C
Monday, July 28 - Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, highs of 25C, lows of 15C
Tuesday, July 29 - Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, highs of 26C, lows of 15C
Wednesday, July 30 - Sunny and a gentle breeze, highs of 26C, lows of 14C
Thursday, July 31 - Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, highs of 25C, lows of 14C
Friday, August 1 - Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, highs of 23C, lows of 13C
Saturday, August 2 - Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, highs of 23C, lows of 14C
Sunday, August 3 - Light cloud and a gentle breeze, highs of 23C, lows of 15C
Monday, August 4 - Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, highs of 25C, lows of 15C
Tuesday, August 5 - Sunny and a gentle breeze, highs of 25C, lows of 15C
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Café Diana in Notting Hill Gate had its licence revoked on July 3 by Kensington and Chelsea Council, official documents released this week show. Since then, the operators have also surrendered their licence, according to the council.
During a bizarre licensing meeting in early July - the result of which has now been made public - council officials accused the Manager and his representative of sounding like the Shaggy song - It Wasn't Me.
Councillors heard how the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) and long-term Manager Mr Abdul Basit Daoud had no idea there were illegal workers at the café and offered to step down. The Home Office said he was warned twice.
Noel Samaroo, representing Mr Daoud and the premises licence holder SSW6 Holdings, also appeared to backtrack on licensing conditions his client had proposed around security guards and the closure of windows.
Mr Daoud (L) has run the café for 36 years (Image: RBKC)
Frustration boiled over when councillors questioned Mr Daoud and Mr Samaroo on how the premises was being run. When both men appeared not to answer how records were being kept or how no-one noticed illegal workers, committee Chair Janet Evans said: "This is beginning to sound like the song, It Wasn't Me.
"There's a little bit of evidence, we ask a question then [you say] it wasn't you. You've been in the business for 36 years and it wasn't you."
She added: "Mr Daoud, how much time did you spend at the premises because how could you not notice the same illegal chaps who were there for two to four years - you wouldn't notice they were asylum seekers? I'm a little cautious about that."
Mr Daoud responded: "In my opinion they had a right to work but again, I didn't find out until this right to work lapsed."
Mr Samaroo followed up by saying his clients should have known better.
The café was hauled before the council's Licensing Committee on July 3 following a request for a premises licence review by the Home Office. Council records show the licence was terminated on July 4.
Home Office officials said the café also had no functioning CCTV and sold illegal tobacco. One officer told the committee that despite multiple enforcement visits, arrests and penalties, "there is no evidence of improved practices, staff training or compliance system".
He said there was an ongoing pattern of neglect and failure to uphold the licensing objectives and called for the café's licence to be revoked.
Immigration Enforcement Officers raided Café Diana on four separate occasions between September 2019 and May 2025. They found seven illegal workers from Egypt, Iran and Albania, and heard how one employee was paid £40 for an eight-hour shift, which equates to £5 an hour.
Councillors became visibly frustrated by the answers given by Mr Daoud and Mr Samaroo (Image: RBKC)
They encountered one illegal worker on two separate raids and found another who had worked for Café Diana for two-and-a-half years.
According to the Home Office, the West London café was fined £10,500 in February 2020 for hiring illegal workers. In December 2024, it was fined another £135,000 for the same offence. The committee was told the company which was fined has since gone into liquidation.
Immigration agents visited the café in September 2019 and found an illegal worker who had overstayed a visa which expired in May 2015. Officers visited again in February 2020 and found another three illegal workers.
One tried to evade officers by heading to the toilets but later admitted to working five eight-hour shifts a week and was paid £50 in cash. Another, who was in the kitchen area when officers entered, tried to evade officers by sitting down at a table and disguising himself as a customer.
Immigration officers visited the premises for a third time in December 2024 and found three illegal workers on site, one whom they had encountered for a second time.
One worker tried to dupe officers with a fake French ID she admitted paying €5,000 (£4,262) for. The waitress, who had her EU Settlement Scheme application rejected in December 2022, claimed the café never carried out pre-employment checks and said she was being paid between £9 and £10 an hour.
Cafe Diana was raided four times by immigration agents (Image: Met Police/RBKC)
Another, who had overstayed a business visit visa from July 2015, said he was being paid in food.
Named Café Diana after the late Princess, this small eatery has attracted thousands of visitors - including royals.
Until her passing, Lady Di was reportedly a frequent guest and supporter. She is said to have often come with her two sons for coffee and breakfast, and reportedly thought highly of the establishment.
Those with boxes of childhood toys cluttering up their attic may want to have a rummage through them this weekend, as some in decent condition can reach a small fortune at auction. This comes as a treasure trove of vintage Star Wars toys, gathering dust in an attic for four decades, have been slated to fetch up to £6,000 at an upcoming auction.
The collection boasts 21 pristine figurines – featuring beloved characters like Luke Skywalker and R2-D2 – all still sealed in their original packaging complete with £1.59 price stickers. The crown jewel of this galactic haul is the Yak Face figure from the 1983 film Return of the Jedi.
This camel-faced alien, who was part of Jabba the Hutt's crew, belongs to the legendary 'Last 17' – the most coveted figures amongst collectors. Since this particular toy was never officially released in America, it's become incredibly desirable and is anticipated to command at least £1,000.
The figures are highly coveted by collectors
These legendary Star Wars toys will go under the gavel at Hansons Auctioneers in Etwall, Derbyshire, on Thursday (July 24). A woman stumbled upon the hoard, which had belonged to her late husband, whilst rummaging through the loft of their Wellingborough, Northamptonshire home.
Hansons' toy specialist, David Wilson-Turner, explained: "The figures came from the vendor's husband's collection. He didn't collect as such, just toys from his childhood that didn't get played with much. She was delighted when we told her how much they were worth."
Every single figure was manufactured by Palitoy in Coalville, Leicestershire, and had remained undisturbed for 40 years. Mr Wilson-Turner continued: "Palitoy secured the rights to produce Star Wars toys in the 1970s via its US sister company, Kenner. At first Palitoy was reluctant to even launch a Star Wars range because no one had heard of the film."
The Yak Face figure alone is predicted to reach £1,000
He continued: "But, while America went on produce the franchise's merchandise in the millions, Palitoy's output was more modest, making it all the more appealing to collectors both sides of the Atlantic."
Palitoy didn't just churn out toys; they created unique variants of figures and packaging that were distinctly British. Collectors are particularly fond of the tri-logo packaging, which featured English, French, and Spanish text all on one card.
These items represent a coveted batch of figures, produced during 1984 and 1985, at a time when the fervour for the original Star Wars trilogy was starting to diminish.
The collection also includes more popular characters like Luke Skywalker
The auction also boasts a figure of R2-D2 with a pop-up lightsabre, which is tipped to fetch between £300-£400, an Amanaman expected to command £250-£350, and a Luke Skywalker that could bring in £200-£300.
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Jimmy Doherty first graced our telly screens over two decades ago, featuring in his best mate Jamie Oliver's cooking programmes, however, he is returning to screens on Sunday evening (July 20) with his new Channel 4 show Jimmy Doherty’s Big Bear Rescue.
Having trained as a pig farmer, he took the reins of his own farm and established the Essex Pig Company, which became the focus of the popular TV documentary, Jimmy's Farm.
These days, Jimmy juggles his farming duties with his television career, and this weekend marks the launch of a new show, Jimmy Doherty’s Big Bear Rescue.
The programme follows Jimmy at his Suffolk farm and wildlife refuge, where he welcomes some homeless polar bears, a pack of wolves, and two brown bears looking for their forever homes.
Jimmy Doherty is returning for a new show at his farm (Image: Shared Content Unit)
All of the action is filmed on his sprawling 70-acre family farm. He shares this idyllic setting with his telly producer wife Michaela Furney and their four daughters, not to mention a host of pets, including polar bears. Let's delve into the life of 50 year old Jimmy on his beloved farm, reports Essex Live.
Early Years
Born in Ilford before relocating to Essex at just three years old, Jimmy struck up a lifelong friendship with a young Jamie Oliver during their primary school days.
His passion for animals and wildlife was evident from an early age, and by 13, he was working in the tropical butterfly house at Mole Hall Wildlife Park in Saffron Walden, caring for a diverse range of creatures from otters to chimpanzees.
Jimmy Doherty has also had a passion for farming (Image: Submitted)
After studying animal biology at university and serving five years in the Royal Corps of Signals, Jimmy pursued his dream of becoming a pig farmer.
Today, he proudly runs his own farm and the successful Essex Pig Company.
TV star wife
Jimmy's wife, TV producer Michaela Furney, initially crossed paths with him while working as a runner on Jamie Oliver's cooking show, 'Jamie's Kitchen', where she met him in 2002 during a shoot at the Cumbrian farm he was employed at.
King Charles visited the farm in 2017, when he was known as the Prince of Wales, and was accompanied by Jimmy and Michaela Doherty (Image: Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Michaela eventually chose to leave her bustling London career behind to join Jimmy on the farm.
In a past interview with MailOnline, she shared: "One of the biggest things was giving up my career; I was very focused and it was a good lifestyle. But it was my decision: Jim didn't put any pressure on me."
Although she stepped away from TV production, Michaela found herself in front of the camera for the documentary series 'Jimmy's Farm', despite initial reservations about the intrusive nature of filming.
"We're just normal people and the attention can be scary and hurtful," she confessed. "I was still commuting when they began filming, so at first I thought I wouldn't be involved – that was how Jim persuaded me."
Jimmy Doherty and Michaela pictured back in 2008 (Image: Andrew Cowie/Avalon/Getty Images)
She also mentioned: "They used lots of shots of me crying, but it was just in frustration at all the setbacks, the worst of which were the fights with the council over planning permission [for outbuildings and, retrospectively, the shop]. I don't cry that often – they just seemed to catch it on camera every time I did."
The couple tied the knot in August 2009 with a farm-held reception and have since become parents to four daughters.
Jamie Oliver friendship
Since their days at primary school, Jimmy and Jamie have been inseparable mates, co-hosting TV programmes like 'Jamie and Jimmy's Friday Night Feast' and embarking on various joint ventures – seemingly without ever having a major fallout, save for the occasional tiff during TV challenges.
It was actually Jimmy who played cupid for Jamie, introducing him to his future wife Jools when they were just 18.
Jamie and Jimmy have known each other since their time at school (Image: Channel 4)
Recalling the moment in an interview with MailOnline, Jimmy reminisced: "We went on a double date to the cinema in Cambridge – me, Jamie, Juliette and Sue Stump. He had a Fiesta with big fog lights and an exhaust like a tractor on it. We were going over a hill listening to Bob Marley, Buffalo Soldier. We're all singing, the guy braked in front of us and Jamie smashed into him and knocked his front lights out."
Their profound connection shone through when Jamie dedicated his book, 'Jamie Cooks Italy', to Jimmy's late father. Reflecting on the touching gesture, Jimmy shared: "There's a picture of him at my brother's wedding on there. Jamie gave me the book and I'm used to my dad being dead, but sorrow is a weird thing. I couldn't control it, I had to go away on my own. Then I came back and said thank you and it started again. But luckily I had an eye infection so I could blame it on that. Pink eyes, weeping."
At the farm
Jimmy Doherty and Shivi Ramoutar host their show from the farm (Image: James Bailey)
Jimmy's farm in Suffolk, which sets the backdrop for 'Jimmy and Shivi's Farmhouse Breakfast', stands out with its collection of exotic animals, including polar bears and monkeys – it's even touted as Europe's largest polar bear reserve on its website.
In a chat with the Express, he shared some behind-the-scenes antics: "And then you've got the wildlife park where we've got polar bears, we've got monkeys, we've got our anteaters. So we do different activities with them.
"One morning we played hide and seek with our monkeys. We hid all their food around and they had to go and find it. And I remember that for the camera system, it took him about 15 minutes trying to get the GoPro in this special box and tighten it all up. It took the monkey about five seconds to undo or and grab the camera, bite it and run off with it. But we've got some brilliant monkey selfies!".
Jimmy Doherty’s Big Bear Rescue is on Channel 4 on Sunday, July 20
