In a month marked by tragic tales of criminality, south London courts have seen a procession of offenders sentenced to prison for their egregious acts. From rape and attempted murder to drug dealing and armed robbery, the crimes committed by these individuals have shocked and appalled communities across the region.
Here’s a glimpse into the names and faces of those now serving time behind bars:
1. Cliff Mitchell: Former Metropolitan Police officer Cliff Mitchell, 24, from Putney, received a life sentence with a minimum of 13 years for repeatedly raping a woman and a child. Mitchell’s victims bravely confronted him during sentencing, expressing their disgust at his actions.
2. Rajenthiram Mithinraj: Rajenthiram Mithinraj, 34, of Bromley Road in Beckenham, attempted to rape a woman in a Travelodge car park while she was incapacitated due to intoxication. Despite being acquitted of rape, Mithinraj received a six-year sentence for attempted rape.
3. Paul Debenham: Armed with a gun and a hammer, Paul Debenham, 30, terrorized elderly residents in Orpington, ultimately receiving a 12-year sentence for his home invasion burglaries.
4. Danny Lee: Already serving a six-year sentence for armed robbery, Danny Lee, 43, was handed an additional nine weeks in prison for drug driving offences.
5. Joel Henry: Joel Henry, 40, of West Norwood, commuted 60 miles daily to sell heroin in Hastings, earning himself a seven-year sentence for drug dealing.
6. Scott McAndrew: Scott McAndrew, 33, of Croydon, broke an elderly man’s ribs in an unprovoked attack in Redhill, resulting in a three-year prison term.
7. Harry Owusu-Manu: Harry Owusu-Manu, 39, of Battersea, received a life sentence with a minimum term of 22 years for intentionally setting fire to his pregnant ex-partner’s flat.
8. Michael Wynter: Described as an “extreme sexual deviant,” Michael Wynter, 34, of Brixton, was sentenced to seven years for raping a woman while she was asleep or unconscious.
9. Jabbard Mabounda: Jabbard Mabounda, 31, of Brixton, was jailed for 12 months after carrying out an unprovoked, homophobic attack on two men in Brixton.
10. Dean Vincent and Reyon Vincent: Dean Vincent, 27, of Battersea, and Reyon Vincent, 28, of Norwood, were imprisoned for drug dealing and possession of a loaded gun, among other offences.
These sentences serve as a reminder of the commitment of law enforcement and the justice system to hold offenders accountable for their actions, seeking to bring solace to victims and ensure the safety of communities throughout south London.
