Life sentences handed down for murder of aspiring lawyer in London

Sven Badzak
Author: Louise EastonPublished 3rd Aug 2023

Two men who stabbed an aspiring lawyer to death in north west London in a case of mistaken identity have each been jailed for life

22 year old Rashid Gedel and 23 year old Shiroh Ambersley will serve a minimum of 27 years for the fatal attack which lasted eight seconds and has been described as brutal and savage

22 year old Sven Badzak was set upon by a group in Kilburn in February 2021 as he walked home with a friend, with a judge saying it was clear he'd done absolutely nothing wrong.

A 19 year old who pleaded guilty to manslaughter has been jailed for seven and a half years

"The kindest person to walk the earth"

Mr Badzak's mother Jasna watched the sentencing online and in a witness statement read out loud, said her son was the "kindest person to walk the earth".

She said: "For me Sven was everything, my reason to live, my only child, more than the apple of my eye, my love, my full support, my best friend."

Ms Badzak added: "In the aristocratic but tiny Badzak family dating back since 1168, I am the first female born after 13 generations.

"Sven was my only child and was the only successor. The world needs more like Sven."

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, 23, from Wembley, were found guilty of murder.

They were each acquitted of attempted murder of the 16-year-old but both convicted of wounding with intent.

Anthony Orchard KC, prosecuting, said the victims were targeted in a "gang-style attack" over what the killers regarded as their drugs territory.

He told the court previously: "Neither victim was a gang member or associate.

"It appears they were the unfortunate victims of mistaken identity."

Mr Badzak suffered four injuries, one of which was fatal, and the then 16-year-old victim suffered one injury to his back which was "nearly fatal", Mr Orchard added.

The mother of the 16-year-old said in a witness statement that her son is "suffering mentally with PTSD, night terrors, flashbacks and has withdrawn completely socially".

She added: "These people robbed me of my son and have left an empty shell behind, a damaged boy I no longer recognise."

She said that since the jury's verdict, a video of drill music has been uploaded online and that they have had to relocate and change their names "due to ongoing threats".

"brutal and savage and swift"

Judge John Dodd KC said: "Sven Badzak was clearly a decent young man. He was 22 when you attacked and killed him.

"It's clear that he'd done absolutely nothing wrong on that February day."

Harvey Canavan, 19, from Maida Vale, had pleaded guilty to manslaughter and unlawful wounding, jurors were told.

Two other suspects have not been identified, the court heard.

Canavan was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for manslaughter and 15 months to run concurrently for unlawful wounding.

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