Wandsworth Guardian

Martyn Blake, 40, stood trial at the Old Bailey after shooting the 24-year-old through the front windscreen of an Audi Q8 in Streatham on September 5, 2022.

The jury deliberated for some three hours on Monday to clear Mr Blake who appeared to be briefly overcome with emotion as the verdict was returned.

He breathed out, puffed his cheeks and turned away in an apparent show of relief.

The family of Mr Kaba, who sat in the well of the court, sat in stony silence and made no immediate reaction.

Metropolitan Police firearms officer Martyn Blake, 40, fatally shot the 24-year-old through the windscreen of an Audi Q8 in Streatham, south London, on September 5 2022.

Hemmed in by marked and unmarked police cars, Mr Kaba drove the Audi backwards and forwards in an attempt to escape, the Old Bailey has heard.

The car had been used as a getaway vehicle in a shooting in nearby Brixton the night before, and was followed when a police officer recognised the number plate.

Officers did not know who was driving the car at the time.

Elisha Fizul called the 24-year-old on WhatsApp 10 minutes before he was killed by Martyn Blake during a police stop in Streatham, south London, the Old Bailey was told.

His last words before they lost contact were “Lish, one sec, I think there is police behind me”, jurors heard.

In a statement read to the court on Friday, Ms Fizul said she had been friends with Mr Kaba for about two years before the fatal incident on September 5 2022.

She said: “I called Chris by WhatsApp at 20.00 on September 5. Unfortunately, he did not answer my call right away.

Martyn Blake, 40, shot the 24-year-old in the head through the windscreen of an Audi car during a police stop in Streatham, south London, on September 5 2022.

Moments before, Mr Kaba had tried to get away by driving forward and then reversing into a police car which had blocked him in, jurors have heard.

Police had been looking for the Audi after its registration was linked to reports of gunshots in Brixton, south London the night before, the Old Bailey was told.

Armed police were called to a route 159 bus at Streatham bus station just before 10.30am today (September 16).

Specialist firearms officers boarded the bus, and an air rifle was reportedly recovered.

A man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possession of a firearm.

No injuries were reported following the incident.

A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: “Police were called at 10:27hrs on Monday, 16 September to a Route 159 bus at the bus station near Streatham BR Station.

The incident happened at 10.18pm on Thursday (August 22) in Streatham Place.

Police went to the scene and the man was taken to a south London hospital where is injuries have been assessed as not “life threatening or life changing”.

There have been no arrests at this stage and investigations are ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD 7672/22AUG24.

Gabriel is missing from his home in Streatham.

The 15-year-old is described as 5'9" tall, with a slim build and curly brown hair.

He has links to Lewisham.

If you have seen Gabriel, call police on 101 and quote the reference 01/654074/24.”

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “Gabriel has links to the Lewisham area, please help us support the Wandsworth team in finding him. If seen please call 101 and quote ref 01/654074/24.

The incident happened in Abercairn Road at 3.20am yesterday (July 22).

Officers and London Ambulance Service crews attended and found a man injured.

He was taken to hospital for treatment where his condition was assessed as serious.

No arrests have been made as police enquiries into the circumstances continue.

A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: “Police were called at 3:20hrs on Monday, 22 July to reports of a man being stabbed in Abercairn Road, SW16.

“Officers attended alongside paramedics from London Ambulance Service.

The incident reportedly happened in Abercairn Road at around 3.15am today (July 22), according to Lambeth and Southwark Assembly Member, Marina Ahmed, on X (formally known as Twitter).

It is unknown whether the road has been closed or whether a crime scene is in place.

We have contacted the Metropolitan Police and London Ambulance Service for further information on the incident.

The full tweet says: “There was a stabbing in the early hours at approx 3.15am today in Abercairn Road, SW16.

Fire crews were called to a flat fire in Aldrington Road in Streatham early this morning (July 12) at around 1:41am.

Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to the scene with crews from Tooting, West Norwood, Norbury and surrounding fire stations despatched to the scene.

Part of the ground floor of the semi-detached property made up of three floors was damaged by the fire.

Three people who became trapped on the second floor were rescued by fire crews from the building by ladder and were treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation.