London Live

That's a wrap. We would like to thank you for supporting London Live over the last 10 years. It's been an incredible 10 years covering the stories that matter in the capital and making sure the all voices in our community are heard. It's sadly time to say a final goodbye, from midnight on Sunday 19th January we will be off air but want to say a huge thank you and goodbye.

Tonight was the final London Live News at 6 programme. Thank you to everyone that supported over the last 10 years.

Police are investigating an incident which took place in the Palace of Westminster. Arianna has more on the story.

Which London boroughs have the highest crime rate? #london #londonnews #kensington #chelsea #islington #hackney #camden #westminster #londoncrime

Is Timothee Chalamet now an official Londoner after his @lime bike blunder? #limebike #timotheechalamet #acompleteunknown #londoners #londonebikes

The chief constable of Thames Valley Police has been suspended amid an investigation by the police watchdog into allegations of gross misconduct. Jason Hogg was suspended with immediate effect amid an Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation into concerns he failed to adequately investigate allegations relating to the improper retention of sensitive police information, police and crime commissioner for Thames Valley Matthew Barber said. Mr Barber added on Thursday that the matters relate to “alleged breaches of the standards of professional behaviour amounting to failure in duties and responsibilities” and a “lack of honesty and integrity”. There is no criminal investigation into Mr Hogg.

Protesters were planning to gather outside the BBC’s Broadcasting House in Portland Place, before marching to Whitehall, but have now been told to meet in Russell Square by the police. Arianna has more on the story.

Patients are dying in corridors and sometimes going undiscovered for hours while sick people are being left to soil themselves, according to a damning report into the state of the NHS. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) published new findings into what is going on in England’s hospitals as staff try to manage the number of people needing care. The “harrowing” report tells of patients sitting for days in chairs – so-called “chair care” – due to a lack of beds, patients piling up in corridors, delays to treatment and the elderly unable to get help due to no call bells and not enough staff. The RCN called for immediate Government action to end “corridor care”, which it says has become normalised and is not just occurring in the winter months. The experiences of more than 5,000 nursing staff across the UK, with more than 4,000 from England, contained within the 460-page report highlight how patients are “routinely coming to harm” and deaths are happening. @brydieannm reports. #NHS #nhswaittimes #corridorcare #londonnews #royalcollegeofnursing

Felicity Jones spoke about her experience on #TheBrutalist after the film received nine nominations at the #Baftas #FelicityJones

Hassan Sentamu, 18, has been found guilty of murdering 15-year-old Elianne Andam in a row over a teddy bear. He had a history of attacking girls and carrying knives before he stabbed the popular schoolgirl in the neck outside the Whitgift centre in Croydon. At Sentamu’s trial, the prosecution claimed the teenager had reacted to being splashed with water the day before and had lashed out at Elianne in a fit of “white hot” rage. Prosecutor Alex Chalk KC said: “He was angry on September 27, having brooded on the insult and he took the knife to the scene to reassert dominance. “He exacted vengeance on a young girl clearly running away from him and posing no threat.” The defendant, who admitted manslaughter, claimed his autism affected his ability to exercise self control and was therefore not guilty of murder. However, the prosecution rejected the assertion saying neither his autism nor his troubled background provided an excuse for murder. The trial heard Sentamu had a long history of volatile and violent behaviour, having been cautioned for taking a knife to school, and, while awaiting trial for Elianne’s murder, threatened to “do it again”. Following a three-week Old Bailey trial a jury found Sentamu guilty of murder by a majority of 10 to two and unanimously guilty of possession of a blade. There were shouts of “yes” and “murderer” from the public gallery as the jury delivered the verdicts after deliberating for 11 hours and 42 minutes. The court had heard how Sentamu felt disrespected by Elianne after he split up with her friend. About 10 days before the killing, Sentamu had text his then-girlfriend: “Ur energy is dead I’m not rdy for a relationship…all the best (sic).” When she asked for her teddy bear back, he replied: “You can collect your ting on Wednesday before skl I’m gonna need my shit tho from the clothes to the pillows and flowers (sic).” The girl had reported the exchange back to her friends, with Elianne commenting that he was “so rude”. The day before the killing, Sentamu had met the girls at the Whitgift Centre where they “teased” him and his ex-girlfriend threw water on him. The defendant, who was studying sports science at Croydon College, was splashed again and at least one of the girls joked that “tomorrow he would kill them all”. That night, Sentamu seethed over what happened and told a friend: “Bro, I can’t let this slide.” On the morning of 27 September 2023, Elianne and her friends met Sentamu outside the Whitgift Centre before school for the planned exchange. Instead to bringing the teddy bear, the defendant, then aged 17, donned a mask and gloves and armed himself with a knife from under the sink in his kitchen. His ex-girlfriend handed over a bag of Sentamu’s clothes despite being alarmed that Sentamu was dressed like a character from the London-based crime drama Top Boy. She asked where her teddy was and Sentamu replied that he did not want to hurt her and seemed “unbothered”. In a short mobile phone video selfie, Elianne appeared to be caught up in the drama. Sentamu’s ex-girlfriend told the court: “Elianne ran behind him, grabbed the bag and started running and laughing as a joke. It was the type of thing that Elianne would have done. “At first I was laughing a bit ‘cos it was a joke and then I got scared ‘cos then Hassan got mad.” Sentamu chased Elianne and stabbed her on the ground despite her pleas for him to stop, the court was told. Elianne suffered a fatal 12cm deep stab to the neck and a passing bus driver held her hand and stayed with her as she lay dying in the street. The stabbing was caught on CCTV and in the ensuing chaos, Elianne’s traumatised friends were able to tell police what happened and describe the killer who had fled and dumped the bloody knife. A police officer spotted him on a bus heading towards New Addington and arrested him within an hour and a half of the killing. Sentamu had declined to give evidence in his defence but the court was told of his troubled childhood, after his mother fled domestic violence when he was young. He was given a police caution when aged 12 he produced a knife in school, pointed it at his chest and told a teacher he wanted to kill himself. Jurors heard a catalogue of abusive and violent behaviour which also included putting girls in a headlock, and threatening to harm a foster carer’s cat and chop off its tail. The month after Elianne’s death, Sentamu got into a row after a fellow inmate at Oakhill Secure Training Centre in Milton Keynes accused him of killing girls. Sentamu responded: “I’ll do it again. I’ll do it to your mum. Do you want to end up like her, six feet under?” The court was told the defendant had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorder, the effects of which would have been dampened by autism rather than inflamed, it was claimed.

An investigation is underway, following convicted murderer, Jake Farhi, known as rapper TEN, referring to his 2008 murder of Jimmy Mizzen through drill music. Arianna has more on the story.

Jimmy McDonagh, 18, has been convicted of the manslaughter of his neighbour in west London. He was found guilty after a single punch to the neck killed 44-year-old John Cavanagh. It follows a trial which lasted just over a week at the Old Bailey. Police launched an investigation following an argument between the two men at a house in Dawley Avenue, at around 20:10hrs on 4 March 2024. The punch caused John to fall to the floor and it was later found it caused severe internal injuries leading to his death. McDonagh was arrested in the Ilkestone area of Derbyshire the following day. He was transferred to Hounslow Police Station where he was interviewed under caution on four separate occasions before being charged with murder on 8 March. The charge was later amended to manslaughter by the Crown Prosecution Service. Detective Inspector Rebecca Woodsford, leading the investigation, said: “John's family have had an agonising wait to be able to hear the full evidence in this case, and while nothing will ease the pain they continue to live with, I hope this verdict provides some sense of justice for them. “They have listened to witnesses, watched CCTV and seen the evidence of McDonagh who denied manslaughter, saying he acted in self-defence, but the Jury did not believe McDonagh's account and have found him guilty. “I would like to pay testament to the jury and my team’s determination and commitment to see justice is done during this hugely difficult investigation and trial." McDonagh was convicted on 15 January. Sentencing is due to take place on 7 March 2025 at the Old Bailey.

Johnny Scott, 26, has admitted causing more than £24,000 of damage after crashing his car into the Buckingham Palace gates. He appeared “fidgety and dazed” after he drove his VW Polo into the south centre gate on 9 March causing £24,493 of damage, Westminster Magistrates Court heard. On Thursday, Scott, who was arrested by armed officers at the scene, appeared in court and pleaded guilty to a criminal damage charge. Prosecutor Laila Cunningham said: “He did appear fidgety and dazed and said ‘I have to fix this and these c****’. “He did not elaborate on these statements. “He is of good character.” No members of the royal family were in residence when the collision happened, a palace spokesman said at the time. District judge Annabel Pilling told Scott that he may be unlikely to face prison and that a community-based penalty could be an “appropriate” sentence. She said: “You have entered a guilty plea today. “You will be given credit for that as you have given a guilty plea at a very early opportunity.” Medical reports were ordered before Scott’s next appearance at the same court on 13 February. Scott was released on conditional bail.

Detectives are offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information to bring to justice the killers of a teenager in Brixton 31 years ago today. In the early hours of Sunday, 16 January 1994, 18-year-old James Akinwande left Vox nightclub in Brighton Terrace, SW9, following a music event with his friends. There were reports that altercations had taken place throughout the event, prompting James and his friends to leave and go home as the nightclub was closing early. At around 04:45hrs, James was singled out from his friends outside Boots The Chemist in Brixton Road. He was chased by a large group of young men before they beat and stabbed him. James managed to escape the group after getting loose from his jacket and ran towards a police van that was parked in Brixton Road. He collapsed and was given first aid by the officers before the ambulance arrived. He was taken to King’s College Hospital where he sadly died. James’ family are also appealing for information. They said: “In 1994, our family experienced an unimaginable loss when James was tragically murdered at just 18 years old. “James was a light in our lives. He was generous, endlessly funny and filled with a positivity that brightened every room he entered. “His laugh, his energy and his love for life are deeply missed every single day. The perpetrators of this senseless act tore a void in our family that can never be filled. “His mother, devastated by the loss of her son, has never been the same and finds it too painful to even visit his grave. The impact of James' absence is felt in every moment, and we continue to grieve the life he was so cruelly denied.” A post-mortem examination revealed that the cause of death was due to stab wounds to the chest and left arm. On the night of James’ death, he was wearing a distinct red and dark blue FILA jacket. Half of the jacket was red and the other half was dark blue. The FILA logo was across the back of the jacket. This jacket was stolen on the night of the attack and remains missing. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to call 101 quoting Operation Poldark or CAD1203/16Jan25. You can also call the incident room on 0208 785 8267. To remain anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Ginger & White is the perfect place for a spot of brunch if you're in North West London. #londonfood #londonbrunch

Adrien Brody spoke after #TheBrutalist received nine nominations at the #Baftas #AdrienBrody

A man has pleaded not guilty after being charged with a bomb hoax outside the US embassy in London. Daniel Parmenter, 44, allegedly placed a device that resembled an improvised explosive device (IED) at the embassy in Nine Elms on 22 November. He appeared at the Old Bailey on Thursday. Parmenter, who has been granted bail, will next appear at the same court for trial on 20 October. According to the Metropolitan Police, officers were called to reports of a suspicious package at the embassy at 8.40am that Friday and a controlled explosion was carried out. Parmenter was arrested two days later.

Two teenagers have been charged with murdering a 14-year-old boy who was stabbed to death on a London bus. Kelyan Bokassa was fatally injured on a route 472 bus in Woolwich last Tuesday. Two boys, aged 15 and 16, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were charged in the early hours of Thursday, the Metropolitan Police said. The pair will appear at Bromley Youth Court later today. David Malone, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: ““Our thoughts remain with Kelyan’s family and friends at this difficult time. “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active and each of the defendants has the right to a fair trial. “It is extremely important that there be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.” A 44-year-old woman who was arrested for assisting an offender has been released under investigation. Police were called at just before 2.30pm on January 7 to Woolwich Church Street, near the junction with the A205 South Circular Road. Kelyan died shortly after medics arrived at the scene. After his death, Kelyan’s mother Mary Bokassa said her son was kind and caring and liked football, adding: “I can’t believe he is gone. I cannot believe it.”

Mimi Belsize is a newly opened Italian spot in North West London, offering a range of delicious dishes and drinks, in a beautiful setting. @mimibelsize #londonfood #italian #london

Leading medics are now saying BMI, or body mass index, is not an entirely accurate way to measure obesity, and has lead to people being both over- and under-diagnosed. This specific report has come from a group of over 50 experts from the Lancet Commission. One, being Professor Francesco Rubino from King's College London, who emphasised that medics are now calling for "radical re-framing" of the way obesity is diagnosed.