DNA found on weapon results in murder conviction

Forensic analysis of a kitchen knife found close to a murder scene has led to the conviction of a teenager for a fatal stabbing.

On Friday, 5 July, Saeed Ibrahim, 19 (25.11.04), of Algar Close Stanmore, was found guilty at Inner London Crown Court of the murder of Anis Omar Zen after tests revealed traces of both their DNA on the weapon.

Ibrahim was remanded to appear for sentencing at the same court on Friday, 6 September.

Anis, also 19, died after being stabbed with a kitchen knife in Harrow last year.

Detective Chief Inspector Laurence Smith, from the Specialist Crime Command who led the investigation, said: “Once again, a family has had to sit in court listening to the details of how their loved one lost their life in a brutal and entirely unjustified attack with a knife.

“Our thoughts remain with Anis’s family as they continue to struggle to come to terms with their loss.

“Throughout our investigation, and this trial, Saeed Ibrahim painted himself as the victim – claiming he had been attacked. Eye witness accounts showed this not to be the case, and the jury have today found him guilty.

“The dangers of carrying a knife, and the willingness to use it, are all too evident in this case. Ibrahim can expect a lengthy prison sentence for his actions.”

Police were called at 16:50hrs on 4 September 2023 to Masefield Avenue in Stanmore following reports that a man had been stabbed.

Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended the scene where they found Anis critically injured. Despite the efforts of officers and paramedics he was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.

A post-mortem examination confirmed that he had been stabbed twice, including to the chest.

Detectives established that Anis had taken a taxi to Masefield Avenue in order to visit a friend. The driver later told officers he saw a man – who was carrying a large knife – running along the road towards the victim before confronting him, and stabbing him in the chest.

A second witness saw the suspect discard items in a bush. A search of the area found the knife and forensic analysis revealed the DNA matches.

Three days after the murder, Ibrahim attended a north London police station where he was arrested before being interviewed. He answered “no comment” to every question that was put to him. However, in a prepared statement, he claimed that he was approached by the victim who threatened him with a knife leading to a struggle and Anis being killed.

The jury saw through this defence and convicted Ibrahim of murder.