Two drug dealers have been found guilty of stabbing an aspiring lawyer to death in a case of mistaken identity as he returned from a trip to Waitrose. Sven Badzak, 22, and a 16-year-old friend were attacked by a group of six young men as they walked in Kilburn, north-west London, on the afternoon of February 6, 2021.
Mr Badzak was repeatedly stabbed after falling to the ground, while his friend suffered multiple stab injuries but managed to run into a nearby supermarket for help. Following a trial at the Old Bailey, Rashid Gedel, 22, from Ilford, and Shiroh Ambersley, 22, from Wembley, were found guilty of murder.
They were each acquitted of attempted murder, but both convicted of wounding with intent. The jury deliberated for more than 25 hours before they delivered the guilty verdicts by a majority of 10 to two. The pair will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on August 3.
Mr Badzak's mother Jasna, a former Conservative Party activist, had attended the trial by video link after it was delayed due to industrial action by barristers last summer. Prosecutor Anthony Orchard KC said the victims were targeted in a "gang-style attack" over what the killers regarded as their drugs territory.
He told jurors: "Neither victim was a gang member or associate. It appears they were the unfortunate victims of mistaken identity."
However, both defendants admitted carrying knives in the past and drug dealing in the area. Eight minutes before the murder, they had gone to a bakery looking for other young people to attack, it was alleged.
Gedel was caught on CCTV "inspecting" two hooded youths at the counter before walking out of the shop. Meanwhile, the two victims had been to the Waitrose in Finchley Road, about a half a mile away. As they walked back, the 16-year-old was watching a Liverpool football game on his phone.
Mr Orchard said: "As the two friends walked west on Willesden Lane, Gedel drew closer to them. Sven Badzak and his friend were wholly unaware of what was about to happen."
Jurors were shown CCTV footage of the pair walking together when their paths crossed with the killers, with one of the attackers asking: "What are you on?" Mr Badzak was stabbed in the chest while his friend was stabbed in the back, but managed to run off pursued by some of the attackers. Mr Badzak dropped his Waitrose shopping bag as he fled and collapsed outside a burger restaurant.
Mr Orchard said: "His attackers catch up with him on the ground. It appears he was kicked and punched. During the totality of the attack, he was stabbed four times.
"His phone fell to the ground. No attacker attempted to retrieve it. At least one of those attacking him shouted out. The attack on Sven Badzak lasts no more than 20 seconds."
The 16-year-old sprinted into a Tesco supermarket where he sought help and collapsed. The group of attackers eventually gave up the chase and ran away.
Both defendants, who were identified on CCTV, admitted being at the scene but denied they were carrying knives that day and claimed they were only there to sell drugs. Giving evidence, Gedel said that he thought Mr Badzak had been attacked very badly, but not stabbed and only learned he died later.
He told jurors: "I was a bit shocked someone died. I assumed it was only a punch. People were texting me. I went on Google to see what it was about."
He also said he was sent a video on Snapchat of Mr Badzak laying on the floor and bleeding, but did not know why people thought he would be interested. The court was told Gedel had four previous convictions for carrying blades dating back to 2014 and on his arrest in March 2021, a hunting knife was seized from his bedroom wardrobe.
Ambersley also had a conviction for possession of a blade, two offences of threatening with an offensive weapon in a public place and affray, and possession of drugs. Mr Orchard said two other alleged members of the group were not in the dock.
Harvey Canavan, 19, from Maida Vale, had pleaded guilty to manslaughter and unlawful wounding and Lior Agbayan, 20, had fled to the Ivory Coast and has not returned, jurors were told. The remaining two suspects have not been identified, the court heard.
