Extensive analysis of CCTV footage has led to a man being convicted of murder in relation to a fatal stabbing in south London.
In December 2022, police officers investigating the murder of 24-year-old Abraham Kallon on Clapham High Street, trawled through footage from the surrounding roads in order to identify and trace the people who were present during the attack.
The investigation identified Justice Beckford and further enquiries identified his links to an address in Bexley where he was arrested a week after the murder. As part of the investigation, detectives searched another address linked to Beckford in Herne Hill and recovered a black jacket which matched what he had been wearing on the night of the murder; it had traces of Abraham’s blood on it.
Detective Sergeant Jake Good from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said: “Our thoughts remain with Abraham’s family and friends who have had to sit through a trial and listen to details of the night he was killed.
“The thorough work carried out during this investigation proved vital to linking Beckford with the scene. It was the key CCTV footage and DNA analysis of blood found on the defendant’s clothes following the murder that led to the jury finding him guilty.
“Beckford now faces a lengthy prison sentenced for his actions.”
On 9 December 2022, Abraham had spent the night with a friend at a bar on Clapham High Street. After leaving, the friends began a conversation with a group of men and women. The men in this group became hostile, and one of them stabbed Abraham through an open car window.
The pair drove to Kings College Hospital, where at about 04:55hrs on 10 December 2022, officers – who were dealing with a separate matter – immediately administered first aid before arranging for Abraham to be treated by medics,
Despite the efforts of medical staff, sadly he died at the hospital a short time later.
A post-mortem examination held the following day at Greenwich Mortuary gave cause of death as stab injuries.
Detectives from the Specialist Crime Command launched an investigation. They carried out an extensive review of CCTV footage in the Clapham area, identifying where the attack had taken place and capturing images of the suspect and his associates, along with a number of cars that had been present.
Beckford was identified through this work resulting in his arrest and subsequent charge.
Justice Beckford, 23 (08.07.00), of Lambeth, was found guilty at the Old Bailey on Monday, 13 November of murder and possession of a blade or sharply pointed article.
He will be sentenced at the same court on 23 November.
