A man has been convicted of murdering 60-year-old Brian Shields following an investigation by Met Police detectives.

Marius Ziugzda (48) of no fixed address, was found guilty on Friday, following a two-week week trial at Wood Green Crown Court.

Brian, who lived in a disused pavilion in a park with Ziugzda (pictured), was killed by blunt force trauma to his head and chest on October 20, 2022 – injuries consistent with multiple punches or kicks.

Detective sergeant David Brooks, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “Despite Ziugzda’s claims that he and Brian were friends, he subjected him to a sustained and ultimately fatal attack. This verdict is a testament to the hard work of the investigation team, the numerous witnesses who came forward and the efforts of the wider police team.”

On the morning of the death, police were called at 11.14am to Orchard playing fields (formerly Goodmayes Park extension) in Redbridge. This was following reports of an unresponsive man at the location. Despite the efforts of emergency services, Brian died.

At the scene, Ziugzda approached the cordon, despite being told by officers that he could not enter the park. Ziugzda then spoke with officers and said that he had been with Brian the previous evening.

Ziugzda said that he had slept at the location and had woken up there that morning to find Brian dead. He said “I killed him today, I don’t know what….” He then said something incomprehensible before saying, “my friend, in the morning I killed him, now…..”

Officers noted that Ziugzda’s hands appeared to have scuff marks and scratches on them and when later questioned by detectives about his earlier comments, he said that the police officer must have misunderstood what he said.

In interview, Ziugzda said that he and Brian arrived at the park at 8pm on October 19, 2022 and at some point he left Brian to get water from a local shop.

He claimed that upon leaving and returning to Brian he found him uninjured. He confirmed that it was only the two of them at the location and that they sat up for a period of time drinking and smoking before Ziugzda had fallen asleep next to Brian at the pavilion.

To confirm Ziugzda’s claims, detectives viewed 10 hours of CCTV footage from the two nearest shops to the park and found that Ziugzda had visited one to buy water and alcohol but that at the time he had visible red staining on his trousers. This was later forensically examined and identified as the Brian’s blood, contradicting his account of Brian being uninjured before he went to sleep.

Officers also gathered witness statements which revealed that at 11pm, aggressive shouting of two distinct male voices could be heard from the area of the disused pavilion.

Ziugzda has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at the Wood Green Crown Court on February 13.

Drylining, insulation and M&E solutions distributor etag has announced Mike Newnham as its new chair, which it says is another key step in its ambitious growth strategy.

Mike joins etag from Saint-Gobain, having been CEO of its Building Distribution Business, and managing director for Jewson. Prior to this, Mike held the role of chief customer officer at Royal Mail for five years, which followed a decade in executive roles at Orange UK including chief financial officer and vice president, during which time he led the B2B division and later the consumer division.

He says major successes of his career include the significant transformation, growth and subsequent sale of Saint-Gobain’s distribution business in 2023, as well as being part of the team that saw the Royal Mail become part of the FTSE100. 

He adds that his experience of successfully leading strategic transformation and growth with three large organisations in different industries lends itself to helping etag achieve its growth ambitions.

Working across the UK’s major cities, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Europe, etag is a complete system solutions provider of drylining, insulation, membranes, M&E support systems and fixings, which prides itself on creating efficiencies in project timelines and processes through its products and services. 

Recently, etag celebrated its 20th anniversary and marked the occasion by announcing the appointment of Emma Hoten-Pool as commercial director, Michael Kelly as sales director for the Irish market, and its strategy to build on its offering for customers, suppliers and the wider industry.

Mike said: “Having the opportunity to join etag was an attractive proposition, with the business having such a strong history and being family-owned with an entrepreneurial culture. This provides a strong platform to begin the next exciting part of its journey.

“We are in a great position to elevate the business’ existing capabilities with new services, to drive significant improvements, building on what we offer to existing customers and suppliers, and striking new relationships with businesses who can also benefit from what we
do.

“My immediate objectives are to find ways to improve our customer experience, putting people first supported by new digital platforms and new technologies, and ensure sustainability runs throughout our operations.

“What’s been clear to me from day one is that etag excels at creating strong relationships with customers and suppliers, and it’s this, along with the team’s expertise and can-do approach, that means the business is in a strong position to grow significantly in the coming years.”

A range of Häfele architectural ironmongery has been used in the transformation of 15 Old Bailey into Hyde London City, a new £34.3 million lifestyle hotel developed by OB Capital and operated by Ennismore.

Set within a Grade II listed building, Hyde London City blends heritage with bohemian elegance with 111 exquisitely designed guestrooms, each showcasing deep Victorian palettes, velvet furnishings and bold, nature-inspired wallpapers.

The hotel also features two food and beverage options. Leydi is a modern Turkish restaurant from celebrated chef Selin Kiazim brings the flavours and all-day food culture of Istanbul to the heart of London.

Meanwhile, Black Lacquer is an intimate cocktail bar where eclectic, global music is celebrated, with a décor inspired by Tokyo’s vinyl culture.

Acting as specialist architect and interior designer on the project, Studio Moren sought to reintroduce Victorian features like cornicing, high skirtings and timber flooring while blending modern elements expected by today’s discerning traveller. The project also included the construction of a new extension over the existing light well, adding 21 guestrooms.

Häfele’s involvement in the landmark project began at the outset, supporting Studio Moren with creating a mock-up room. From concept to completion, Häfele’s Projects team, led by Gordon Turner, provided regular site visits and bespoke, solution-driven support, helping to achieve the project’s overall blend of rich history and contemporary, luxury hospitality.

Across the project, Häfele hardware has been used as both an architectural feature and to provide subtle practicalities while allowing authentic historical features to shine. For the former, antique brass solid bar levers in a Westminster design have been combined with antique brass bar pull handles in a nod to the site’s Victorian charm.

Conversely, guest rooms feature concealed door closers, while concealed electromagnetic closers and Powermatic door closers were specified in corridor doors and arched head doors for practicality and function.

The Häfele projects team also worked closely with Studio Moren to specify bespoke solutions to maximise historic features. Within ensuite bathrooms, concealed hinges were specified so that high skirting boards could be mounted up to the door and blend seamlessly with the rest of the room.

Häfele recommended a combination of restored original hardware and new elements for the existing external doors, such as antique brass panic hardware and 1500mm solid brass bolts to secure tall doors. The manufacturer also provided a bespoke auto operator solution for the site’s door leaves. At just 550mm wide, the doors required a customised approach as typically, products are designed for widths of at least 800mm. Häfele also incorporated battery-powered accessible touch pads into the design to avoid damage to the building’s historic façade.

“Häfele’s support was invaluable throughout the transformation of Hyde London City,” said Ed Murray from Studio Moren. “The team brought ideas and expertise to the project and it was a true collaboration of ideas. We shared the vision and the team helped us make it a reality. Nothing was too much trouble for Gordon and the Häfele team.”

To aid scheduling, Häfele supplied hardware sequentially for the project in ‘floor by floor’ packs, which were bagged and labelled by hand using the Häfele to Order service. As part of the Service+ Customised, Häfele can tailor orders to suit a client or project’s needs with support, including bespoke timber drawer construction and cut-to-order lighting, which are also available.

Paul Smith, head of specification sales for Häfele UK, said: “Hyde London City is a spectacular hotel, and we’re honoured to be part of bringing this building back to its Victorian splendour. The project is also our second time working with Studio Moren in recent months, which is a testament to our team’s ability to provide a combination of expert specification, understanding of the architectural vision and bespoke service. We look forward to supporting the practice again on future projects.”

Detectives have released a second CCTV image of a man wanted over two assaults in Covent Garden – one of which left a victim in his 70s with serious injuries.

The attacks occurred within moments of each other on the evening of October 12, 2024.

At around 10.33pm, an off-duty police officer reported being punched in the back of the head close to the Royal Opera House. The officer was not injured.

The assailant then approached a second man, aged in his 70s, in nearby King Street. He asked him for directions, before pushing him over.

This victim suffered a bleed on his brain. He temporarily lost consciousness, and required 15 stitches to the back of the head. He is no longer in hospital but continues to suffer the effects of the assault.

The two victims were not known to each other, and the attacks appear to have been random, with no known motive.

The suspect is described as white, around 5ft 9in tall, of medium build, and wearing a black jacket. He was last seen fleeing towards Bedford Street.

Police have made a renewed appeal for information, and have released a new CCTV image of the suspect. This shows the man shortly before the assaults, wearing the exact clothing he had on at the time.

Detective constable Greg Atkins said: “This incident took place in and around Covent Garden on a busy evening. We are making a renewed appeal for anybody with information to come forward. Do you recognise the suspect featured in the CCTV images?

“Multiple people witnessed the assaults and I would ask anyone who can assist in identifying the person responsible to get in contact.”

Anyone with information that could assist police should call 101, quoting CAD reference 7846/12OCT. To make an anonymous report, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Four men have been jailed for the murder of Kacey Boothe in Walthamstow.

Ka’mani Brightly-Donaldson (main picture), Kammar Henry-Richards, Joao Pateco-te and Jeffrey Gyimah were found guilty at the Old Bailey on Monday, December 11 and Tuesday, December 12, following a trial lasting ten weeks.

They were also convicted of conspiracy to murder another man and conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life.

A sentencing hearing was held at the Old Bailey yesterday, following an investigation by Met Police detectives.

• Ka’mani Brightly-Donaldson (25) of High Street, Ponders End was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 38 years.

• Kammar Henry-Richards (26) of Cambrian Road, E10 and Joao Pateco-te (28) of Chelmer Road, Hackney, were jailed for a minimum of 37 years.

• Jeffrey Gyimah (23) of Queensbridge Road, Hackney, will serve a minimum of 35 years.

A fifth man, Roody Thomas (27) of Berger Road, E9, was sentenced to five years behind bars after admitting possession of a firearm.

Kacey (25) was shot dead in Forest Rise on August 13, 2022 as he left a children’s birthday party at the Peterhouse Community Centre.

Police arrived at around 9.20pm to find Kacey had already been taken to hospital, where he died.

Homicide detectives from the Specialist Crime Command began an investigation which involved trawling hours of CCTV footage to identify the suspects.

It was through this extensive work and witness accounts that detectives identified the shooter had left the scene in a stolen car.

These enquiries resulted in warrants being executed at addresses in north London with a total of six arrests being made.

Officers discovered that Kacey and the defendants were linked to rival gangs in north London and had already been involved in a number of violent incidents. After the shooting, one of the defendants, Henry-Richards wrote drill music lyrics boasting about the attack.

However, it is believed that Kacey was not the intended target of the shooting, and the killers had instead been aiming to kill another man.

Detective chief inspector Larry Smith, whose team carried out the investigation, said: “I am pleased to see these men held responsible for their actions and hope today’s long sentences serve as a warning to others who involve themselves in gang-related violence.

“I would like to commend my team for their tenacious and dedicated investigation, trawling through hours of CCTV, analysing mobile phones and speaking with a number of witnesses to piece together the exact movements of these individuals prior to this deadly attack.

“Ultimately, a family have lost their loved one and for this my thoughts remain with Kacey’s family and friends at this difficult time.”