Killer Of Nigerian Teen Daniel Anjorin In London Jailed For Life

Marcus Arduini Monzo, 37, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 40 years for the savage murder of 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin in a chilling sword attack in Hainault, east London.

The Old Bailey courtroom was heavy with emotion as Daniel’s family paid tribute to his “generous spirit,” vowing to honour his memory despite the “painful and deeply traumatic chapter” inflicted by Monzo’s 20-minute rampage on April 30, 2024.

Monzo, a dual Spanish-Brazilian national, was convicted on June 25 of seven charges, including the murder of Daniel, three counts of attempted murder, grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary, and possession of an offensive weapon.

The court heard how Monzo, gripped by a cannabis-induced psychosis, unleashed a wave of terror that left two police officers and several civilians seriously injured.

“Daniel was taken from us in a way that no family should ever have to endure,” the Anjorin family said in a heartrending statement outside court, describing their son as “gifted academically, kind, and with a generous spirit that touched everyone who knew him.”

The tragedy unfolded on a quiet morning when Monzo, wielding a 60cm samurai sword, first rammed his van into pedestrian Donato Iwule, slashing his neck before turning on Daniel, who was walking to school in his PE kit, unaware of the danger.

“His life had so much potential ahead,” the family lamented, their words echoing the devastation felt across Hainault.

Monzo’s rampage continued as he broke into a family’s home, attacking a couple in front of their four-year-old child, and struck PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield with “savage” blows, leaving her with life-changing injuries.

Inspector Moloy Campbell, who suffered a severe hand wound, described the confrontation as a “him or me” moment, telling the court, “I felt I had failed” when he learned of Daniel’s death.

Mr. Justice Bennathan, delivering the sentence, called the scene a “peaceful, busy” morning devastated by Monzo’s “wicked” actions.

He noted the profound impact on Daniel’s family, whose victim statement was “a hard read, so heartbreaking are its contents.”

Daniel’s father, Dr. Ebenezer Anjorin, recounted the horror of finding his son “lying in a pool of blood” with a deep cut to his face and neck, knowing instantly he was gone.

“No verdict or sentence can bring back our son Daniel, who we loved so dearly, but we are grateful that justice has been served,” the family said, thanking the police and prosecution for their tireless pursuit of truth.

Monzo’s descent into violence was fueled by a £100-a-day cannabis habit and exposure to far-right and misogynistic content online, including posts praising Adolf Hitler.

He had killed and skinned his pet cat, Wizard, before the attacks, claiming it was controlling him. Witnesses described Monzo “screaming in delight” after striking Daniel, likening his actions to a scene from The Hunger Games.

Despite his defense of diminished responsibility, prosecutors argued his self-induced psychosis offered no excuse, a stance the jury upheld.

“The CPS maintained throughout that Arduini-Monzo’s mental state was driven by his own cannabis misuse, which meant he was fully responsible for the devastation he caused,” said Kirsty O’Connor of the Crown Prosecution Service.

The bravery of police officers and bystanders shone through the tragedy. Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell praised the “extraordinary courage” of officers like PC Mechem-Whitfield and Inspector Campbell, who “ran towards an erratic and violent man” to protect the community.

The Anjorin family expressed gratitude to all who supported them, from friends and their church to strangers, stating, “Your love and support has been a lifeline.”

As Monzo faces at least 38 years and 309 days before parole eligibility, the family vowed, “We will honour Daniel’s memory not in the shadow of this tragedy, but through the love and happiness that he brought to us and all those who knew him.”