A 36-year-old man has been locked up for life after savagely assaulting and hurling a woman out of a moving car. The shocking attack left Zahwa Mukhtar, 27, dead.
Duane Owusu Gets Minimum 16 Years for Murder
Duane Owusu, from Dagenham, was sentenced at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, 14 April. He must serve at least 16 years and six months for murdering Zahwa Mukhtar in Chadwell Heath on 16 August last year. The jury found Owusu guilty on 5 March. The brutal incident shocked the local community and sparked a Met Police manhunt.
CCTV Footage Played a Crucial Role in Sealing Conviction
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Clarke praised the investigation team’s determination. “The sentence reflects the severity of Owusu’s offending,” he said. “Thanks to key CCTV evidence, Owusu was quickly identified as the killer.” Police worked tirelessly, tracing and analysing footage from the night to build a strong case against Owusu.
Horrific Assault Unfolded in Early Hours
- Zahwa met Owusu and his group in Hackney just after midnight.
- She got into the car with them, but tensions quickly boiled over.
- At around 4:30am, Owusu violently threw Zahwa out onto Chadwell Heath Lane.
- He then kicked her twice in the head and punched her before fleeing.
Zahwa was left unconscious by the roadside. Passers-by raised the alarm and police tried CPR, but she was pronounced dead shortly after.
Owusu’s Aggressive Behaviour Caught on Police Bodycam
Shortly after the assault, officers stopped the vehicle for a routine check and found a small amount of drugs. Owusu acted aggressively on the body-worn video but was released, pending interview. CCTV later showed Owusu and another passenger waiting for a taxi. Owusu called the man a “weak link” for wanting to turn back and help Zahwa.
Swift Arrest and Charge
Owusu was arrested the next day and remained silent during police questioning. He was charged with murder on 18 August. The court’s tough verdict and lengthy sentence send a clear message: violent attacks like this will be met with the full force of the law.
