Husband Jailed for Life After Killing Wife and Setting House Ablaze
Amidu Koroma, 48, from Railton Road, SE24, has been handed life in prison with a minimum of 29 years for murdering his wife, Mariam Kamara, 46. The Old Bailey ruled guilty on Monday, 16 October, following a gripping trial.
Brutal Murder Followed by Arson Attempt
Detective Chief Inspector Chris Wood slammed Koroma’s savage crime as “an appalling act of violence against a woman.” After stabbing Mariam to death, Koroma deliberately set fire to their home in a twisted effort to cover his tracks. This reckless blaze put other lives at risk and deepened the horror of the case.
“This was a brutal murder and a terrible act of violence,” said DCI Wood. “Our thoughts are with Mariam’s family and friends, especially her son, who is trying to cope with this trauma.”
Suspicious Behaviour and Forensic Evidence Seal Koroma’s Fate
The case began after police rushed to a fire at the family home on the morning of 24 January 2022. Koroma and the couple’s son escaped, but Mariam was found dead upstairs. Investigators grew wary when Koroma barely tried to save his wife, although he briefly re-entered the house to grab clothes for their child.
- Petrol-filled jerry cans found in the attic raised red flags.
- Strong smell of accelerant detected near Mariam’s body.
- Post-mortem showed fatal stab wounds to her neck and chest, with no smoke inhalation, proving she died before the fire started.
Forensic experts confirmed the fire was ignited with petrol. A plastic surgeon testified that Koroma’s burn injury on his foot proved he was close to the blaze—contradicting his claims that he couldn’t reach the source to save his wife.
Further damning evidence included Mariam’s blood on Koroma’s clothes and burn marks consistent with brief flame exposure.
Justice Served for Mariam Kamara
Koroma’s chilling attempt to mask murder with arson failed thanks to detailed police work. Officers combed through the scene, gathered vital evidence, and pieced together the deadly chain of events.
Koroma now faces decades behind bars for this brutal and selfish crime that robbed a family of their mother and wife.
