Warren Ramdeen's family 'will not shed a tear' for the killers

Three teenagers who stabbed and killed a vulnerable man in his Northolt flat have been sentenced to life.

The three men appeared at the Old Bailey, where they were previously found guilty of Warren Ramdeen's murder on Monday 30 March.

Shomarni Mkini, 17 of no fixed address, was sentenced to life to serve a minimum of 17 years’ imprisonment.

Idris Abdulle, 17 of Northolt, was sentenced to life to serve a minimum of 16 years’ imprisonment.

Riche Hugh Campbell, 18, of Pinner Green, Pinner was sentenced to life to serve a minimum of 17 years’ imprisonment.

The court heard that shortly before 19:00hrs on Friday 3 October 2014, the three defendants entered Churchill Court, a block of flats in Newmarket Avenue, Northolt, where Mr Ramdeen lived on the tenth floor. The three teenagers went in and out of the block several times that evening.

At around 23:30hrs, a disturbance was heard in the flat and CCTV footage shows the three defendants leaving Churchill Court.

At around 04:00hrs the following morning, a man who stayed with Mr Ramdeen returned to the flat and found blood in the hallway and on the door before discovering the body of Mr Ramdeen lying face-down on a mattress. Police and the London Ambulance Service were called and Mr Ramdeen was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination gave cause of death as a stab wound to the heart.

The motive for the murder is unclear. Mr Ramdeen was a vulnerable adult suffering with mental health issues. It is believed that his attackers took advantage of his frailties and used his flat for the purposes of drug dealing. It is thought a dispute then took place which led to Mr Ramdeen being attacked.

Detective Inspector Andy Manning, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said at conviction;

"I am glad that we have been able to bring to justice the three teenagers responsible for Warren's murder and I hope that this verdict provides some small degree of solace to the family as they try to move forward.

"None of the three defendants gave a coherent account of what happened in the flat that evening and therefore Warren's family may never know exactly why he was killed.

"I believe the situation Warren was in is not unique and would appeal to anyone who is being threatened or intimidated by criminals to have the courage to ask the police for help.

"Similarly, if you know anybody who is suffering as a result of their association with criminals, please call police on 101 and share any information you have with us."

Statement issued on behalf of the Ramdeen and Louison families.

“Warren’s death, and the manner of it, made Friday 3rd October 2014 the worst day of our lives.

“In the months that had passed since Warrens death, during the trial and up the sentencing, there has been and will continue to be some very dark moments, which we have all had to and will have to find our own different ways to deal with and endure.

“Now, we have to adapt to the future without Warren, our son, brother, nephew and friend. But Warren’s memory shines brightly in our thoughts, and we will forever remember the wonderful times we shared, and a piece of him will shine eternally in all of us just like his smile.

“Thankfully, out of tragedy some good often emerges, and we feel blessed to have such true friends and family who have supported us day in day out which has helped tremendously in dealing with our bereavement, we will be forever grateful for this.

“We would also like to thank the detectives, and the liaison officers assigned to us and the entire work force for their diligence perseverance and sincerity towards our family in securing this conviction. At this time we wish to reiterate our deep appreciation for the very generous and clearly sincere accolades paid to Warren and his memory by his friends and the contribution they made towards his funeral.

“This verdict and sentencing today gives us some comfort knowing the perpetrators will have to suffer and realise that life is for living and not for taking and will have plenty of time to ponder their mistakes, and let them be assured that everyone connected with Warren and our families will not shed a single tear over their demise.”

15th May 2015