Hi, and welcome to this Video Production News update.
A Hackney man has been convicted of murder following the fatal stabbing of a 37-year-old man in what prosecutors described as a dispute over a private conversation.
Jaden Sheriff, 20, was found guilty at the Old Bailey of murdering Robert Weston in Hamilton Crescent, Harrow, on 26 February last year. He was acquitted of possessing a knife and has been remanded in custody for sentencing on 14 February.
The court heard that the incident arose after a disagreement involving Sheriff’s then-girlfriend. Three days before the killing, Sheriff had told his girlfriend he needed to have sex due to experiencing “BLUE BALLS” When she relayed this to Weston, he dismissed the claim, leading to an argument.
Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay KC told jurors: “The prosecution say, quite simply, the defendant was upset that his false suggestion had been called out, and rather than take responsibility for his actions, he directed his anger at Robert Weston.”
On the day of the stabbing, Sheriff informed his girlfriend he intended to apologise, sending a message that read: “Idk what came over me, sorry Jaid.” However, events escalated later that day, resulting in Weston sustaining a fatal 12-inch stab wound to the heart. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sheriff’s ex-girlfriend made a 999 call reporting that her former partner had stabbed Weston. She described the weapon as a small flick knife with a Celtic cross on the handle. An examination of Sheriff’s mobile phone later revealed videos of him holding a knife matching this description.
Sheriff was arrested the following day. In a prepared statement, he claimed Weston had been spying on his ex-girlfriend, had threatened him with a vegetable knife, and had attacked first. He stated that he had taken the knife from Weston and acted in self-defence. He further alleged that, in the aftermath, he disposed of the weapon in a river near Hackney Marshes.
However, prosecutors argued that Sheriff’s account was inconsistent with witness testimony and text messages leading up to the incident.
Following the verdict, Detective Inspector Devan Taylor, who led the investigation, said: “This is a tragic case. Robert Weston lost his life, and Jaden Sheriff will have to live with the consequences of his actions.”
The Metropolitan Police has referred its contact with Weston prior to his death to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Weston had contacted police three days before the stabbing to report threats made against him, but the IOPC concluded there was limited evidence to suggest officers could have foreseen or prevented the killing.
Sheriff will return to the Old Bailey for sentencing on 14 February.
Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.
Benedict Tarot Freeman
Editor-at-Large
Video Production News
Comments