Behind Bars: Five Individuals Found Guilty in Redbridge Stabbing and Robbery That Resulted in The Murder of Imran Isat

In a harrowing case that unfolded in Redbridge, five men have been sentenced to prison following extensive investigations involving CCTV footage and phone analysis. This case revolves around a brutal robbery that tragically resulted in the murder of Imran Isat, a 30-year-old victim.

Dwain Morrison, aged 34, residing on Chudleigh Road, RM3, was sentenced at the Old Bailey on October 6th to a minimum of 33 years in prison for the murder of Imran Isat. Morrison had been found guilty of this crime in a previous hearing in July. Additionally, four other individuals were sentenced for their involvement in Imran's manslaughter:

- Salah'din Kerbouba, aged 28, of Sandringham Gardens, IG6 – sentenced to a minimum of 16 years in prison

- Ronnie Haydon, aged 32, of Grafton Crescent, NW1 – sentenced to a minimum of 16 years in prison

- Paul Higgins, aged 36, of Fanshawe Crescent, Hornchurch – sentenced to a minimum of 16 years in prison

- Dominic Diop, aged 33, of Cranfield Park Avenue, Basildon – sentenced to a minimum of 16 years in prison.

Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke, from the Met’s Specialist Crime division, commented on the case, stating, "This was a premeditated robbery carried out by a group armed with knives and machetes. They were observed scouting the house before the assault, and the cars they used had false license plates. 

The presence of such deadly weapons demonstrated their readiness for violence, resulting in a senseless murder. It is likely that when the fatal stabbing occurred, Mr. Isat was defenseless on the ground. It was a heartless act of brutality that claimed his life. Although the exact nature of what the gang stole remains unknown, it surely did not justify taking a man's life while he lay helpless."

The incident unfolded on March 19, 2022, when Imran Isat was in his living room on Springfield Drive in Ilford, watching television with friends. Unbeknownst to him, five men had planned to break in and rob him, surveilling his home.

At approximately 01:15 hrs, the assailants initiated their attack, forcibly entering through the front door. Two of them broke down the door to Mr. Isat's flatmate's room, while the other three proceeded upstairs to the living room. In response to the commotion, Mr. Isat attempted to block the men from entering, but was unable to close the door.

A struggle ensued at the door, during which one of the assailants, armed with a large knife, managed to stab Mr. Isat through the gap, pushing him backward. The robbers entered, brandishing knives and machetes, and demanded, "Where's the stuff?" Mr. Isat pleaded, "Don't hurt me – take what you want." 

However, one of the assailants stabbed him, while another struck one of his friends with the flat side of a knife. The robbers then exclaimed, "We've found it" and hastily departed from the scene.

CCTV footage later captured Higgins leaving the scene with bags and a suitcase, returning to retrieve another suitcase. Haydon also left with a bag. None of the defendants disclosed the contents of the bags to the police, and the stolen items remained undisclosed.

Paramedics and police arrived promptly and made every effort to save Mr. Isat, but tragically, he was declared dead at the scene. A subsequent post-mortem examination revealed that he had suffered five stab wounds, with one of them being fatal as it had pierced his chest and heart.

The Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime (homicide) division initiated a murder investigation, which revealed that the robbery had been meticulously planned. Surveillance footage from CCTV and doorbell cameras depicted certain gang members surveilling the house in advance. 

It is suspected that the gang's motive involved drugs, money, or both, as they had armed themselves with knives and machetes to carry out the crime. The gang arrived in two cars, both later discovered to have been using counterfeit license plates.

Despite their attempts to evade detection, the extensive police inquiry successfully identified and arrested the individuals responsible. 

While three of them—Diop, Higgins, and Morrison—pleaded guilty to robbery but not guilty to murder, Haydon admitted his presence at the scene but denied involvement in the robbery or use of violence. Kerbouba was the sole individual who denied being present at the scene and pleaded not guilty to murder and robbery.

However, after a thorough examination of all the evidence, the jury found all five individuals guilty of their roles in the attack, ensuring that justice was served in this tragic case.

[SOURCE]