Chatsworth Road takeaway boss wiped CCTV and destroyed evidence to cover up double stabbing

Convicted: Sameer Hussain

A takeaway boss deleted CCTV footage and used bleach to destroy forensic evidence after two men were stabbed inside his shop on Chatsworth Road on 23 December last year.

Sameer Hussain also failed to call for an ambulance, forcing the victims, aged 26 and 29, to stagger to a nearby hospital.

The 29-year old from Clarence Road, Lower Clapton, later told police that the CCTV system was broken and had not recorded the incident.

He was given a suspended sentence after leaving police with insufficient evidence to charge anyone with the crime.

Detective Constable Ben Kahane from Hackney CID said: “Through the actions of Hussain, two men were prevented from seeing justice done.

“Hussain arrogantly thought that by deleting CCTV footage and destroying forensic evidence there would be no consequences to his actions, and that the police would leave him and his business alone.

“Today’s sentence sends out a clear message to those considering destroying evidence to frustrate police investigations. Should you actively attempt to obstruct the police and tamper with a crime scene, your actions will be investigated, you will be prosecuted and you may find yourself in prison.”

Hussain changed his plea to guilty on the first day of the trial.

Judge Ader took into account the several months Hussain had spent in prison on remand leading up to the trial, and sentenced him to a further 21 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years.

The court also heard that the man who was initially arrested in connection with the stabbing was shot and wounded on 5 February this year.

The attack is believed by the police to have been in retaliation.