International career criminal sentenced to life imprisonment

Brutal double murder in Clapham

An “international career criminal” has been sentenced to life imprisonment for a savage double murder committed 11 years ago in Clapham. Gonzalo Andreas Gomez Remolina, 40, of no fixed address, was found guilty at the Old Bailey on Thursday, 9 August, of killing Carlos Andres Ayala Carmona and Ruben Rodriguez Fuente in June 2007.

Gomez Remolina was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 33 years to serve. He carried out the attacks alongside his brother, who tragically took his own life in prison while awaiting trial. After the murders, Gomez Remolina fled the UK for Mexico but was extradited back in January 2018 to face justice.

Details of the attack and investigation

Detective Sergeant Esther Richardson from the Homicide and Major Crime Command described the attack as “incredibly violent” and said Gomez Remolina was an international career criminal. The attack was premeditated, with Gomez Remolina and his brother seeking revenge against Carlos as part of an ongoing dispute.

Carlos was stabbed more than 30 times and died from massive blood loss. Ruben, who was not involved in the dispute, was stabbed eight times and killed because he could have identified the attackers. Both men were attacked inside the communal entrance of a block of flats on Muller Road, SW4, where Carlos lived with his family.

DNA evidence linked Gomez Remolina’s brother to the scene, while extensive evidence about Gomez Remolina’s relationship with Carlos proved his involvement. The investigation remained open for over a decade before Gomez Remolina was finally brought back to the UK.

Background and motive

On the night of 5 June 2007, Carlos, 28, originally from Colombia, and Ruben, 30, a Spanish national, were attacked by Gomez Remolina and his brother Cristian Mauricio Gomez Remolina, 24. The brothers had arrived in the UK just two months earlier on false Mexican passports, having travelled from Japan where Gomez Remolina had served a prison sentence for burglary.

The motive was revenge over a dispute involving burglary proceeds. Carlos had joined the brothers in criminal activities but fell out with them over the division of stolen goods. After Carlos sent people to break into the brothers’ flat and recover his share, the brothers planned the murder.

The attack and aftermath

Neighbours heard banging, shouting, and screams from the flats before finding Carlos and Ruben bleeding heavily. Despite efforts by armed police and the London Ambulance Service, both men died in hospital in the early hours of 6 June 2007.

CCTV footage showed the brothers driving to the scene and fleeing shortly after. They escaped to Paris and Spain using false documents. Cristian was arrested in Spain but committed suicide in prison awaiting extradition. Gomez Remolina was later found imprisoned in Mexico for robbery and was extradited to the UK after serving his sentence.

Families respond to sentencing

The family of Carlos said: “The last 11 years have been a desperately sad time for us as a family. Carlos was devoted to his family and his kindness and love will never be forgotten. We are grateful that justice has now been served and we hope that we may now be able to move forward with our treasured memories of Carlos.”

The family of Ruben added: “The brutal death of Ruben, our precious son and brother, has been insufferable. Ruben was a much-loved man who would have done anything for anyone. Our family have endured the greatest heartache. We welcome the court result and are comforted that the person who killed Ruben has been held responsible. However, our sadness goes on, without Ruben.”

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