Friends may hold the key to solving the murder of teenager 16-year-old John Ogunjobi

BY TOBY PORTER
toby@slpmedia.co.uk

Police have appealed to friends of a stabbing victim who may fear for their safety if they tell anything about his murder.

Detectives believe those close to 16-year-old John Ogunjobi may have seen what happened in Greenleaf Close, Tulse Hill on November 5 last year.

Officers have now appealed for help in finding the killers, a year after they struck.

Police and paramedics were called shortly before 11pm and found Mr Ogunjobi collapsed in the street with stab injuries. Despite the efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 11.40pm.

A reward of £20,000 is available for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the killers.

Detective Superintendent Richard Vandenbergh, investigating, said: “One year has passed since John was fatally attacked, but our determination to find those responsible and bring them to justice has not diminished. John was just 16 years old and his life had barely begun.

We believe he was attacked by a number of suspects, and know that the altercation was witnessed by a number of people, some of whom have still not come forward to tell police what they know.

“It is also quite likely that some of John’s own friends may hold vital information, but are yet to talk to us.

“I am all too aware that some young people may be reading who want to engage with us but are afraid that someone might find out. If that is you, I want you to know that we can work together, in the strictest of confidence. Or, if you prefer, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, 100 per cent anonymously, and tell us what you know that way.

“It cannot be right that a young man’s murderer is walking around free while his devastated family still wake each day, not having properly begun to mourn yet. Work with us and we can get the justice John’s family deserve.”

Officers are re-releasing CCTV footage of a black Audi Q5 vehicle, registration number LB11 XPJ (false plates) and a light coloured VW 5-door Polo, with damage to the corner of its offside rear bumper.

The two cars were seen shortly before and after the stabbing at around 10.50pm on Monday, November 5, 2018.

The black Audi was captured on CCTV at 10.41pm at the Texaco petrol station in Croxted Road, Dulwich having come from the direction of West Dulwich.

A man wearing a long green puffa coat and purple latex gloves was seen to fill the car with petrol. False plates have been used on the car. It was then seen leaving the garage at 10.43pm, heading in the direction of Norwood Road.

On Tuesday, November 6 the black Audi Q5 was found to have been burnt out on the Gunsite Allotments, Grange Lane, Dulwich.

Checks revealed that this vehicle, under the correct registration number, had been stolen from Burbage Road on October 12, 2018.

Detectives are asking anyone who may have seen these cars in or around the Tulse Hill area at the time of the incident to come forward and speak to them.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8721 4961, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.