Justin Henry was last seen at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Croydon before his body was found in a car in Purley
Dramatic Arrest Of Justin Henry Killer
Two South London men have been jailed for the manslaughter of a ‘kind, loving, and vibrant soul’. Lewis Benjamin, 30, of Waddon New Road in Croydon, and Jamal Ali-Richards, 29, of Thornlaw Road in West Norwood, appeared at Woolwich Crown Court on Tuesday (June 10), where Benjamin was jailed for 20 years and Ali-Richards for eight years and six months for killing 34-year-old Justin Henry.
Both men were convicted in April after an eight-week trial. Jurors heard while Justin was missing in October 2023, Benjamin and Ali-Richards tried to dispose of his body and destroy evidence linked to his death. Benjamin was arrested on October 24 2023, while Ali-Richards was arrested days later. Benjamin admitted perverting the course of justice before the trial, while Ali-Richards did so during.
Mr Henry’s family said: “Justin was a kind, loving, and vibrant soul whose life was taken far too soon. The pain of his disappearance and the unimaginable circumstances surrounding his death have left a void in our lives that can never be filled.
“Since October 2023, we have endured an agonising wait for answers. While we are grateful that justice has been served in part, and those responsible for Justin’s death have been held accountable, no verdict can ever bring him back to us or ease the sorrow we carry every day.”
Henry was reported missing on October 16 2023 after failing to return home from a visit to his girlfriend. When detectives traced him on CCTV, they found him at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Croydon on October 15. He then drove to Waddon New Road, where Benjamin lived, parking there for two hours before the car moved 19-minutes away to Kingswood Drive.
Police believe Justin was already dead at this point, and someone else moved the car to avoid suspicion. Police looked into it further and linked Ali-Richards to the case. When officers entered Benjamin’s flat it was nearly empty, with furniture removed, carpets stripped, and signs of deep cleaning in an attempt to destroy evidence.
When forensics arrived, they found blood spatters on the wall, and less than 100m away black plastic bags with bloodied carpet. Tests confirmed the blood was Justin’s and Benjamin was arrested while trying to get rid of his phone, which had evidence of contact with Justin before he disappeared. Benjamin refused to answer questions, while Ali-Richards surrendered himself to police.
Both were charged with murder, but police continued to investigate and found one of the two vehicles recently purchased by the suspects had been fitted with false number plates. The car, parked off Dale Road in Purley, contained Justin’s body in the boot. Both men were convicted of manslaughter after a trial.
‘A disturbing disregard for Justin’s life’
Detective Chief Inspector Craig Magee of the Met’s Specialist Crime Team who led the investigation, said: “The deliberate actions taken by Benjamin and Ali-Richards to conceal their crime show a disturbing disregard for Justin’s life and the impact on those who loved him.
“The sentences handed down today reflect the severity of their offences and the extensive efforts made to obstruct justice. This outcome is a direct result of the dedication and hard work of the investigation team.
“Justin’s passing continues to have a long lasting and devastating impact on his family and friends. Throughout the investigation and trial, the strength and resilience shown by them has been extraordinary. I hope that today’s verdict will provide an opportunity for them to begin to move forward.”
Want to contact Callum about a story? Please email [email protected] or WhatsApp/Signal +447580255582
Sign up to our London Crimewatch WhatsApp community for the latest major court updates and breaking news delivered straight to your phone. Sign up HERE.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the MyLondon team. We also treat our subscribers to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To unsubscribe, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’. If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.
