A judge at the Old Bailey sentenced Duane Owusu, 36, to a minimum of 16 years and six months in prison for the murder of Zahwa Mukhtar, 27, during a hearing on Tuesday, April 14. The incident occurred on Saturday, August 16, in Chadwell Heath.
A jury found Owusu guilty of murder on March 5. He resides on Althorne Way in Dagenham.
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Clarke from Specialist Crime North remarked, „The sentence in this case reflects the severity of Owusu’s offending, and our thoughts remain, as always, with Zahwa’s family and friends.“ He emphasized the importance of the investigation team’s use of CCTV evidence, which played a crucial role in identifying Owusu as the perpetrator. Clarke noted, „Their dedication to this detailed work to trace and examine key footage from the time of the incident was crucial in securing Owusu’s conviction.“
Zahwa met Owusu in the early hours of August 16 while he was socializing with a group in Hackney. She eventually joined them in a car. At approximately 4:30 AM, a dispute arose, leading to Owusu throwing Zahwa out of the vehicle on Chadwell Heath Lane. He then exited the car and attempted to kick her in the head twice before striking her. Afterward, he returned to the vehicle and fled the scene, leaving Zahwa unconscious on the roadside.
Shortly after the incident, police conducted a routine stop of the car Owusu was in. During the stop, a small quantity of drugs was discovered, and Owusu was recorded on body-worn video displaying aggressive behavior. Although the officers allowed the car to leave, they planned to interview the driver later.
Meanwhile, passers-by informed the police about an injured woman nearby. Officers arrived and began CPR on the unconscious Zahwa, but she was tragically pronounced dead by paramedics shortly thereafter.
Investigators linked the stopped vehicle to Zahwa’s death and sought to trace the movements of its passengers. They obtained graphic CCTV footage of the fatal assault, which depicted Owusu throwing Zahwa from the car and subsequently attacking her.
Additional CCTV footage captured Owusu and a passenger from the car waiting for a taxi. During this time, Owusu was heard criticizing the other man for wanting to return and assist Zahwa, labeling him a „weak link.“
Owusu was arrested on Sunday, August 17, and taken into custody, where he opted for a no-comment interview. He was formally charged the following day, August 18.
Bildquelle: Daniel Reynaga auf Pexels
