Two individuals have been sentenced to prison for the manslaughter of a 34-year-old man whose remains were discovered concealed in a vehicle in South London.
Lewis Benjamin, aged 30, received a 20-year prison sentence for the homicide of Justin Henry and for attempting to conceal the offense.
His co-conspirator, 29-year-old Jamal Ali-Richards from Thornlaw Road in Norwood, was given a prison term of eight and a half years.
Both men were found guilty in April after an eight-week trial at Woolwich Crown Court, with their sentencing taking place on September 11, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Following the report of Mr. Henry’s disappearance in October 2023, the two men attempted to dispose of his body and eliminate evidence, as stated by a Met Police representative.
Detectives utilized CCTV footage, mobile phone records, and forensic investigations to identify the suspects and locate Mr. Henry’s remains.
In a statement, the victim’s family expressed that his death has created “a void in our lives that can never be filled.”
They continued, “Though we are thankful that partial justice has been achieved and those accountable for Justin’s death face consequences, no verdict can ever restore him to us or mitigate the grief we endure daily.”
Detective Chief Inspector Craig Magee, who oversaw the investigation, remarked, “The intentional efforts by Benjamin and Ali-Richards to hide their crime reflect a troubling lack of respect for Justin’s life and the pain inflicted on his loved ones.”
Mr. Henry was last seen alive in Croydon on October 15, 2023, before heading to Benjamin’s residence. Subsequently, his vehicle was relocated to another location, which aroused suspicion among the police.
During a search of Benjamin’s apartment, officers found that furniture had been removed, carpets stripped away, and traces of blood in both the flat and nearby bags.
Weeks later, Mr. Henry’s body was discovered in the trunk of a car parked in Purley, South London.
Both Benjamin and Ali-Richards later confessed to obstructing justice.
