February 2026 saw London’s darkest criminals locked up tight. From vicious murderers to twisted paedophiles, the capital’s worst have been hauled before the courts and slammed with hefty sentences. Here’s the lowdown on the fiends behind the headlines.
Notorious Killer Banged Up Again After Brutal Assault
Fauz Richards, 28, is back in jail after a violent attack at a drug-fuelled party in Beckenham. Sentenced to 13 years in 2017 for stabbing teen rapper Myron Yarde, Richards was freed on parole in early 2025. But last February, he punched a woman, leaving her seriously injured. He’s now locked up until at least 2029 after an 18-month sentence plus recall to finish his manslaughter term.
Drunken Samurai Sword Madness Shocks Neighbours
Jan Dziedzic, 36, sparked terror in his Belvedere flat in November 2025. Wielding a samurai sword and covered in blood, he banged on a neighbour’s door in a bizarre drunken rampage. Claiming he can’t remember, Dziedzic pleaded guilty to affray, weapon possession, and criminal damage. The judge called it “alarming” and handed him one year inside.
Paedophile Teacher Jailed Over Sick Grooming Abuse
Gary Vigar, 34, a former Oaks Park High School teacher, preyed on a young girl in 2020. After sending over 2,000 messages, he coerced her into horrific sexual acts. Initially denying charges, Vigar caved mid-trial and pleaded guilty. The victim spoke of “a nightmare” and years struggling to survive. Vigar was sentenced to five years and seven months at Croydon Crown Court.
Teenage Machete Murderer Locked Up for Life
Jackson Uwagboe, 19, from Lewisham, stabbed 21-year-old Robert Robinson 12 times over a stolen bike in Deptford. Joined by two machete-wielding mates, Uwagboe tracked down and murdered Robert on the spot. He was handed life with a minimum of 21 years. Accomplices Ryan Wedderburn and Kirk Harris also got life, while Eromosele Omoluogbe was jailed for helping Uwagboe flee the country.
Police Trainee Paedophile Caught Grooming Girls on Snapchat
Oscar Devlin, 25, a Met Police trainee and St John Ambulance volunteer, groomed a 14-year-old girl in late 2023. After being booted from the force, he targeted an 11-year-old, coercing explicit photos and urging a meet-up. Devlin pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years and seven months behind bars.
Child Sex Offender Attacks Father in Violent Court Showdown
Ben Shipton, 27, from Eltham, had hundreds of child abuse images after uploading them to Dropbox. While waiting sentencing, he violently attacked his dad in a 20-minute brawl, threatening to kill his parents with a butter knife. Shipton was sentenced to two years and one month in jail.
Ticket Dodger Delivers Brutal Beating at London Bridge
Rikki Holmes, 33, from South Norwood, unleashed a savage attack on a man after trying to sneak through a ticket barrier in August 2023. The victim suffered brain bleeding, fractured jaw and ribs, plus two collapsed lungs. Holmes got three years and five months behind bars.
Croydon Paedophile Gets Reduced Sentence After Massive Delay
Javed Jafarzadeh, 33, travelled from Croydon to Leeds in 2022 to sexually abuse a 14-year-old girl. Paedophile hunters caught him at Leeds station. Due to a prosecutorial holdup lasting three years, his sentence was lightened to just two years. Prosecutors slammed the delay as “unexplained” and “outrageous.”
Brutal Ex Blames Dog for Smashing Ex’s Lip
Delroy Powell, 41, punched his ex so hard in May 2025 it “obliterated” her lip. He tried to pin the injury on her son’s XL Bully dog but later admitted the truth. Powell pleaded guilty to assault and was jailed for one year and eight months.
Convicted Killer Adds Weeks to Sentence After Prison Attack
Marvin Ward, serving 16 years for manslaughter, attacked prison staff at HMP Isis, Thamesmead, in December 2024. Verbally abusive and violent, he earned an extra 23 weeks added to his jail time.
Train Pervert Masturbates in Front of Woman on London Bridge Tube
Igor Borges, 29, exposed himself and masturbated at a woman on a morning train in September 2023. He followed her despite her desperate attempts to escape. Thanks to victim bravery and fellow passengers, police caught and jailed him for one year and eight months.
Croydon Gang Member Gets 9 Years for Kidnap and Torture
Tarelle Thompson, 28, part of a brutal gang, kidnapped and tortured a victim in Reigate and Farnborough. The blindfolded victim was threatened with dogs, force-fed, and sexually abused. Thompson was found guilty of conspiracy to kidnap and weapon possession. He’s locked up for nine years plus five years on licence.
