A ruthless killer has been locked up for life after savagely assaulting a woman and throwing her from a car in East London.
Duane Owusu Sentenced for Zahwa Mukhtar’s Murder
On Tuesday, 14 April, a judge at the Old Bailey handed Duane Owusu, 36, a minimum 16-and-a-half-year prison term for the murder of 27-year-old Zahwa Mukhtar. The gruesome attack happened on 16 August in Chadwell Heath. Owusu, from Dagenham, was found guilty by a jury on 5 March following a thorough Met Police investigation.
CCTV Footage Key to Conviction
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Clarke praised the team’s quick work: “The sentence in this case reflects the severity of Owusu’s offending and our thoughts remain with Zahwa’s family and friends.” He added: “Using CCTV evidence, the investigation team was able to quickly identify Owusu as the killer. Their dedication to tracing and examining the footage was crucial in securing his conviction.”
Horrific Details of the Attack
- Zahwa met Owusu and his friends in Hackney in the early hours of 16 August.
- She ended up in the car with the group before a dispute erupted around 4:30am.
- Owusu viciously threw Zahwa out of the moving car on Chadwell Heath Lane.
- He then kicked her twice in the head and punched her, leaving her unconscious by the roadside.
- Owusu sped off in the car, abandoning Zahwa.
Police stopped the car shortly after for a routine check and found a small quantity of drugs. Owusu was aggressive on bodycam footage but was released pending later interview invites. Passers-by alerted officers to Zahwa’s injured, unconscious body. Paramedics later declared her dead.
Owusu’s Callous Attitude Caught on Camera
Further CCTV footage showed Owusu berating a fellow passenger, mocking him as a “weak link” for wanting to turn back and help Zahwa. The brutal assault, captured on camera, sealed Owusu’s fate as justice was served for Zahwa Mukhtar.
