New Union Close Tower Hamlets stabbing: Two men convicted

Shamiah McKenzie, of Colvin Close, was found guilty of murdering 23-year-old Abdul Jalloh after appearing at the Old Bailey today (June 12).

The 18-year-old was also convicted along with Codee Godfrey, 19, of Grosvenor Road in Tower Hamlets, who was found guilty on manslaughter.

Police were called to New Union Close, Tower Hamlets, on August 5 last year at around 4.15pm.

The jury were told Abdul was attacked while unarmed and vulnerable behind the wheel of his car.

Shamiah McKenzie has been convicted (Image: Met Police) Despite the best efforts of emergency services, Abdul died a short time later as a result of a stab wound to his neck.

Police showed the jury how the pair had been circling the Isle of Dogs on bicycles for more than an hour looking for Abdul.

After the attack they threw the knife and its sheath and McKenzie’s bicycle into the Thames at Caledonian Wharf.

As paramedics tried to save Abdul’s life, the pair packed their bloody clothing and footwear into bags.

While wearing other clothes, they then dumped their bags of bloody clothing and two mobile phones into bushes in the area.

In the bag, police found £3,000 worth of cannabis, £2,000 in cash, a vacuum sealing machine to package drugs and business cards containing their phone numbers.

Codee Godfrey has been convicted (Image: Met Police) McKenzie and Godfrey were so confident in their changed appearance that they returned to the Thames Path which was full of officers who were searching for Abdul’s killers.

However, they turned themselves into police on August 8 and were charged the following day.

The pair will be sentenced next week Friday (June 20) at the Old Bailey.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Waller, from Specialist Crime North – who led the investigation – said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Abdul Jalloh, who lost a loved one in shocking circumstances.

“By carrying and using a knife, McKenzie’s callous act demonstrates once again the devastating and far-reaching effects of knife crime.

“I therefore commend the officers who worked incredibly hard to build evidence against McKenzie and Godfrey in order to prove that there could be no doubt as to their guilt. London will be a safer place with them taken off the streets.

“I also want to thank the local community who came forward to assist officers with footage they had on the day. They displayed immense courage in giving evidence to the court.”