„Their lives will never be the same following the actions of Burletson, Amana and others,“ stated Detective Chief Inspector Lucy Carberry regarding the tragic events that unfolded in Dagenham.
Verdict Delivered
Two men have been convicted of murder in connection to an incident in Dagenham as a result of a thorough investigation that reviewed extensive CCTV footage. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday, 29 October, at Snaresbrook Crown Court, where a jury found Frankie Burletson, 25, of Arden Crescent, and Swayf Amana, 27, of Brittain Road, guilty of the murder of Haseeb Bhatti, who was 23 years old at the time of the attack in April 2024. Both were also charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent to another individual.
Details of the Attack
Haiden Khalik-Noor, 19, from Bentry Road, was acquitted of the same charges. The fatal incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, 20 April, when Haseeb and his associates were in Rothwell Gardens. A group of five men, armed with knives, arrived in a Mercedes and assaulted the group.
At approximately 01:30 hrs on that Saturday, officers were notified by the London Ambulance Service of a stabbing incident. Upon arrival, they first encountered a 50-year-old man who suffered stab wounds and was subsequently hospitalized and released shortly after. However, Haseeb was later discovered on Flamstead Road with critical injuries and, despite immediate medical attention, succumbed to his wounds.
Victim’s Family Statement
In a statement, Haseeb’s family expressed their profound grief: „Our son was our world, and losing Haseeb has broken us completely. The pain is with us every moment of every day. Those responsible have shown no remorse for what they have done to our family. We’re praying that justice will be served for our beautiful boy.“
Investigation and Arrests
The extensive investigation, spearheaded by Metropolitan Police, involved examining mobile phone records, license plate data, and numerous hours of CCTV footage, which ultimately enabled detectives to establish a connection between the suspects and the crime scene. Furthermore, investigators uncovered substantial evidence indicating premeditation, which included purchases of balaclavas and gloves.
Initially arrested on 24 April 2024, Burletson was charged with murder two days later. Amana faced similar charges on 28 May 2024 after being taken into custody on 27 May. Both men are scheduled for sentencing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, 31 October.
Conclusion
Detective Chief Inspector Carberry extended her condolences to Haseeb’s family, commending their dignity throughout the legal proceedings. She remarked, „These two men will now face the consequences of their actions. I hope that this will bring some peace to Haseeb’s family, and also to the second man stabbed in this attack.“
Bildquelle: Daniel Reynaga auf Pexels
