By Chris Williamson-
A 32-year-old music manager from Romford was murdered for a fake watch after he fell victim to a sinister plot orchestrated by a member of security at an exclusive City event.
The assailants targeted Odunlami(pictured) after he was spotted wearing a Patek Philippe Nautilus watch, believed to be worth between £90,000 and £300,000, by Kavindu Hettiarachichi, who was a working security at the £1,400-a-table celebration event.
AD: Capeesh Restaurant
The plot unraveled on May 1 last year when Hettiarachichi tipped off a team of robbers, leading to a violent attack on Odunlami after he left Haz restaurant. Jordell Menzies, a 27-year-old member of the robbery team, stabbed Odunlami before the perpetrators fled the scene in a Mercedes.
As the party drew to a close at around 11pm, Hettiarachichi was caught on camera filming his target outside Haz bar and summoning Vandrose in a phone call.
After Mr Odunlami left the restaurant with a friend, the robbers ran at him, jurors heard.
AD: Oysterian Sea Food Restaurant And Bar
Mr Odunlami was on the ground and all three defendants kicked him as he lay defenceless, jurors heard.
During the attack, Ffrench, bent down and took Mr Odunlami’s watch and was heard to say “got it”.
At the heart of this tragic event was a Patek Philippe Nautilus wristwatch that, if genuine, would have been valued at around £125,000.
However, the grim irony unfolded during the trial when prosecutor William Emlyn Jones KC revealed that there was reason to believe the watch was a fake.
The realization that Odunlami was killed for a counterfeit watch added another layer of tragedy to the already devastating circumstances.
The conviction of Jordell Menzies for murder, along with the guilty pleas of his co-defendants Louis Vandrose, 28, and Quincy Ffrench, 28, for robbery Vandrose, of Islington, and Ffrench, of Tottenham for the lesser offense of manslaughter will not bring back the murdered victim but at least provide some solace for his family.
Hettiarachichi, 31, of Harrow, had admitted theft and was convicted by a previous jury of robbery and manslaughter. The trial also implicated Hettiarachichi’s colleague, Antonios Kfoury, 22, of Ealing, who was found guilty of perverting the course of justice.
Following Menzies’ conviction, Judge Patrick Field KC remanded him in custody to be sentenced at a later date.
Speaking outside of court, Detective Chief Inspector Edelle Michaels, from the City of London Police major crime team, said: “This was a callous and co-ordinated murder of a young man, that has left his children without a father and devastated his family and friends.
“Emmanuel should have been able to celebrate his birthday without fear of being attacked because of the watch he wore on his wrist.
“If you carry a knife and murder a man who was running away, it is not a mugging gone wrong, it is murder and we will do our utmost to bring you to justice.
“What makes this crime even more startling, is that a man employed to protect people on a night out as a security guard, was looking for victims for his accomplices to attack and rob.
“Emmanuel’s family have now seen all the men responsible for his death brought to justice, but I know their loss will be with them forever and our thoughts remain with them.
“Crimes such as these are rare in the City, but should they occur we will use our powers and the professionalism of our officers to pursue those responsible and remove them from our streets.”
This tragic event highlights the importance of increased vigilance and security measures to curb the rising trend of robberies in London.
AD: Heritage And Restaurant Lounge Bar