Heartbroken mum’s knife plea after ‘callous monster’ takes her only son’s life

A grieving mother has made an emotional appeal for “knife crime to stop destroying families” after her son’s killer was jailed for 27 years.

Ahmed Gonladieu, 25, of Railway Terrace, Lewisham, was sentenced at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, after he was found guilty of murdering 29-year-old Alexandros Josephs.

A jury heard how Gonladieu fatally stabbed Alexandros through the window of a car in Malyons Road, Ladywell on May 10, last year.

Alexandros’s mother, Lana, said: “This conviction will never diminish the pain my family and I have endured over the past year, but the lengthy sentence will prevent other families being destroyed by this callous monster who has shown no remorse for what he has done.

“The brutal killing of my only son has left a hole in our lives. We thank the police and prosecutors for their support throughout, but we can only hope we can now rebuild our lives to remember Alexandros in happier times. Knife crime destroys lives and families, it needs to stop.”

Homicide detectives identified Gonladieu on CCTV arriving at the scene on a bicycle and then fleeing on foot. He was then tracked, also using mobile phone data, to Barnet, where he was arrested later the same day.

A search of his address found clothing in his attic, which contained Alexandros’ DNA.

Alexandros was also originally from the Lewisham area but was living in Essex at the time of his murder.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Mike Nolan, the lead officer in the case, said: “Due to the swift work of homicide detectives Ahmed Gonladieu was arrested within hours of carrying out a fatal stabbing.

“It is obvious that he is an extremely dangerous man and I am glad he will now be off the streets of London for a significant period of time.

“My thoughts remain with the family and friends of Alexandros Josephs, who have shown great dignity and strength throughout the court process.”

Pictured top: Victim Alexandros Josephs (Picture: The Met)