THE MURDER OF Liam Harman, 28, has been solved – with the conviction of Cedric Kiyago, 21, who was found guilty of murder at the Old Bailey last week. He will return to the Court on 4th May for sentencing.
Harman was found in the communal area of a block of flats in Straight Road, Romford, with multiple stab wounds and, despite receiving emergency medical treatment, he died at the scene.
The Court heard how Harman’s mobile phone was found to contain a text message that read “Your a dead man” [sic] – which had been sent on the day of the murder. The police were able to trace the message as having come from a phone which was used as a drugs line – linked to Kiyago.
Kiyago was arrested on 3rd August: he had the phone in his possession. Both phones had been in the area of the murder at the time of the killing. He was charged on 21st September.
In Court it was suggested that Harman was a drug user and Kiyago was a local dealer. Harman had been robbing some of the runners Kiyago used to carry out deals – and the message, and the murder, were revenge.
Police statement Detective Sergeant DS Brett Hagen, from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said, “We believe the motive for the attack was a feud over stolen drugs. What we can be certain of is that the victim was subjected to a vicious and sustained knife assault that caused terrible injuries and had a devastating impact on his family and friends. The scene that faced officers and witnesses that night was truly dreadful and I am glad that the instigator of this brutal murder, Cedric Kiyago, has been brought to account.
“Kiyago is a habitual criminal who was on prison licence for offences of drug-dealing. He now faces a very long term of imprisonment and I am sure the streets of London will be a safer place because of it.”
Family statement Harman’s family said, “As a family, we are heartbroken that Liam was taken from us, leaving his two young boys without their daddy. The impact this has had upon us is difficult to describe. Nothing will ever bring Liam back and this has left a permanent hole in the lives of all of us who loved him. We would like to thank the police and the Crown Prosecution Service for their dedication and hard work in bringing the person responsible to justice.”
The trial took a mammoth seven weeks. Kiyago was a serving prisoner in respect of other offences when the trial began. He was found guilty, but three other men were acquitted of murder at the same trial: Nathan Charles, 23, of Lowbrook Road Ilford; Kamal Hamilton-Albert, 22, of Highfield Road, Woodford; Gleneson Mark, 23, of Whitta Road, E12.
•Read more about this story: “Murder in Romford” – three in court
•Read more crime stories: Imitation gun – but real jail sentence Jail for scout leader who preyed on Newham youngsters
[Adverts]