Murder Convictions in Woolwich Fire case – Julia Faure Walker Prosecutes
Two men have been convicted of murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent, after a 10-week trial at the Central Criminal Court.
In summary, on 6th September 2018, a house in Centurion Square, Woolwich, was set alight with petrol. A woman, asleep on the first floor, died of smoke inhalation. The two other occupants of the property suffered multiple bone fractures after jumping from a second floor window to escape the blaze.
The defendants were involved in local and county-lines supply of crack cocaine and heroin. An associate of theirs was linked to “K”, from whom police had previously seized crack cocaine and criminal cash. K used to live in the property targeted in the arson attack. The victims were K’s relatives; they were, in effect, caught in the crossfire of a drugs feud.
The prosecution case was built on painstaking analysis of CCTV footage from in the surrounding areas, combined with telephone call records and cell-site evidence. Numerous unregistered ‘phone numbers, some of which were also drugs lines, were attributed to individuals involved. Call-patterns and cell-site usage demonstrated the involvement of the defendants.
William Smith, 26, organised the attack. Elliott Robinson, 22, carried it out. They will be sentenced on 19th July 2019.
For press reports, see here
Julia Faure Walker was led junior for the Crown, instructed by CPS Homicide.
Categories: News
