Lewis Benjamin of Waddon New Road, Croydon, and Jamal Ali-Richards of Thornlaw Road, Norwood, appeared at Woolwich Crown Court on June 10 for sentencing after an eight week trial.
The proceedings followed the death of Justin Henry, a 34-year-old who was reported missing on October 16, 2023.
Justin had failed to return home the previous night after visiting his girlfriend.
He was last seen alive on CCTV footage, stopping at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Croydon before driving to Waddon New Road.
After two hours, his car was moved 19-minutes away to Kingswood Drive. Investigators believe the 34-year-old was already dead by this time.
The movement of the car raised suspicions from the Metropolitan Police, fearing someone other than Justin had moved it.
When police visited Benjamin’s flat in Waddon New Road, they found it to be next to empty, with no furniture, stripped carpets and signs of a recent deep cleaning.
Blood splatters were found by forensic teams on the walls of the property, alongside black plastic bags containing bloodstained carpet.
Benjamin was arrested after trying to flee the scene and discard the phone, refusing to answer questions in custody.
After the blood was proved to be Justin’s and phone conversations between the pair were discovered, Benjamin was charged with murder.
Ali-Richards surrendered to police and was also charged with murder shortly after.
Justin’s body was located in the boot of a car parked off Dale Road in Purley.
On February 17 this year, Benjamin pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice, admitting to attempts to cover up his actions and destroy evidence.
On March 21, during the trial, Ali-Richards entered the same plea.
The court heard that, while Justin had been reported missing, Benjamin and Ali-Richards were actively disposing of his body and attempting to destroy evidence linked to his death.
Benjamin has been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment, consisting of fourteen years for manslaughter and six years for perverting the course of justice.
Ali-Richards received a total sentence of eight years and six months, five years and six months for manslaughter and three years for perverting the course of justice.
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Justin’s family said the process has been “agonising”.
“Justin was a kind, loving, and vibrant soul whose life was taken far too soon. The pain of his disappearance and the unimaginable circumstances surrounding his death have left a void in our lives that can never be filled.
“Since October 2023, we have endured an agonising wait for answers. While we are grateful that justice has been served in part, and those responsible for Justin’s death have been held accountable, no verdict can ever bring him back to us or ease the sorrow we carry every day.”
