FOUR MEN JAILED: Chilling moment private hire vehicle passenger killed during ‘cold-blooded’ murder
- Perry Richardson
- 22 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Four men have been sentenced in connection with the killing of a 26-year-old man in East Ham, following a Met Police investigation that led to an international extradition.
Anselam Senaj was fatally stabbed in the back of a private hire vehicle on the evening of Saturday, 11 November 2023. The attack took place at around 10.10pm at the junction of Victoria Avenue and Grangewood Street.
On Friday, 11 April, the four men appeared at the Old Bailey for sentencing.
Muhammad Saqib Khan, 24, received a life sentence with a minimum term of 26 years for murder. Muhammad Samiyul Miah, 19, was also jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 25 years. Both sentences included time for possession of a knife.
Ibrahim Naim, 18, was sentenced to ten and a half years for manslaughter. Zain Ali, 22, was given a 14-year sentence, also for manslaughter.
The court heard that the group used a stolen vehicle to block the private hire car carrying Anselam. He was attacked while sitting in the back seat. Despite attempts to save him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command launched an investigation. Warrants were executed across London on 22 November, leading to the arrests of Miah, Ali and Naim. They were charged that same night.
Investigators used forensic evidence from clothing and phone downloads, which indicated involvement in drug dealing. This evidence pointed to a wider network and helped identify Khan, who had left the country for Amsterdam.
Khan was arrested on 4 December by Dutch authorities. He was extradited to the UK and charged with murder and possession of a knife on 12 January.
On 13 January, Khan and Miah were found guilty of murder. Naim and Ali were convicted of manslaughter during the same trial, which lasted 14 weeks.
Detective Sergeant Brett Hagen, who led the Met's investigation, said: “Anselam Senaj was killed in a brutal cold-blooded assault which lasted seconds, but was so severe he died at the scene.
“Our team conducted a thorough and detailed investigation which led to the arrest of three of the suspects within two weeks of the attack.
“We’d like to thank our partner agencies who helped us ensure the arrest of the final suspect, and bring the case to trial to secure justice for Anselam.
“Our thoughts remain as always with Anselam’s friends and family as they move forward with their life, safe in the knowledge his attackers are behind bars where they belong.”
