Police name man charged with murder of man, 60, in ‘random’ Oxford Circus stabbing

Thursday evening, another random stabbing in London. This one was notable as the victim was of mature years (60, not a youth involved in a scuffle with other youths) and the stabber was stopped and subdued by two skateboard wielding young men who were in the vicinity. They then slipped away and police would like their evidence. 

The murder was said to be ‘random’ but ‘not connected to terrorism’, which is the standard response, unless it is is some sort of gang fight. Anyway the man has been named and charged with murder. From My London and the Daily Mail

A man from Swansea has been charged with the murder of a 60-year old man who was fatally stabbed in Oxford Circus on Thursday night (July 1). Tedi Fanta Hagos, 25, of Ravenhill, Swansea, was also charged possession of an offensive weapon and will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court for an early hearing Saturday, July 3.  All the newspapers have the headline, either ‘Welshman’ or ‘Man from Swansea’. But he was not named by the Bishop of Llandaff as in the well known rhyme. His name is of Somali (or maybe Ethiopian) origin. 

The 60-year-old victim was the target of a ‘random and unprovoked assault’ that only ended when his attacker was detained by members of the public. The victim stabbed outside the Microsoft store and who later died in hospital was named in court as Stephen Dempsey. Hagos was taken to a South London hospital for treatment for a head injury, but police said he ‘did not sustain any lasting injuries’.   

Launching their search to find the two heroes, the Met said in a statement that the two men had ‘led the intervention to apprehend Hagos following the attack’ at 8pm on Thursday, but did not stay at the scene to speak with police.

Detectives only discovered the ‘key role’ they played after reviewing CCTV and other video footage of the incident and its aftermath. 

Police have launched an appeal to find the two men, who they have described as showing ‘great courage’ in stepping forward to apprehend the attacker. Investigators have said the men would be spoken to ‘solely as witnesses’.

Detective Chief Inspector Vicky Tunstall, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘In addition to being immensely brave, we believe these two individuals may also be key witnesses. In stepping forward as they did, they showed great courage… I want to be clear that while they used force to subdue the alleged attacker, those actions were entirely reasonable and are not in question. They can be assured that we wish to speak to them solely as witnesses.’

Detective Chief Inspector Vicky Tunstall, from the Specialist Crime Command, said at the time: ‘This is being treated as a random and unprovoked assault and we are not actively looking for anybody else in connection with the incident. I would like to reassure the public that his is not believed to be linked to terrorism.

Hagos, of Ravenhill, appeared in court on Saturday accused of murder and with possessing an offensive weapon. Mr Fanta, dressed in a grey tracksuit, was assisted by an interpreter during the hearing. I doubt it was Welsh he needed. He was remanded in custody and is set to appear at the Old Bailey on Tuesday. 

Tomorrow we may find out more IF proceedings from the Old Bailey are reported.