The pair were sentenced to 20 years imprisonment each
By Victoria Munro

Alexis Morris (left) and Marvin Ward (credit: Met)

The two teenagers who killed Walthamstow’s Hussain Chaudhry have been jailed for 20 years each.

Marvin Ward and Alexis Morris – both Ilford 18-year-olds – were sentenced on 4th February at Wood Green Crown Court, almost a year after stabbing Hussain outside his home.

Also sentenced that day was Morris’ Bexley friend Anthony Nguyen, imprisoned for 18 months after helping Morris hide himself from police in Luton following the crime.

In a statement after they were found guilty following a seven-week trial, Hussain’s grieving family said they were pleased “the cowardly robbers” would face justice.

Walthamstow 18-year-old Hussain Chaudhry

They said: “Ultimate justice is from God Almighty and, while nothing will ease the pain of losing Hussain, we are grateful that those responsible have been caught and convicted.

“These are cowardly robbers and killers who draw a false sense of strength and arrogance from carrying knives. However, they were confronted with real strength and true courage when they failed to intimidate Hussain, who fought back alongside his brothers and friends to protect his mother, home and family.

“We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been supporting us with goodwill and prayers throughout this ordeal… Hussain lives on through his legacy and this will continue as long as we all uphold the values that he embodied: Love, Honour and Bravery.”

This story is published by Waltham Forest Echo, Waltham Forest's free monthly newspaper and free news website. We are a not-for-profit publication, published by a small social enterprise. We have no rich backers and rely on the support of our readers. Donate or become a supporter.

Ward and Morris met Hussain at his Lea Bridge Road home on 17th March last year after arranging to buy a designer jacket from him on social media.

After pretending they were willing to pay, the pair pulled knives on Hussain and his friends and Ward held the group in the living room, while Morris ransacked the rooms upstairs.

Hussain intervened after hearing his mother had come home and was stabbed while trying to defend her from the intruders. His mother and one of his two brothers were also injured in the scuffle.

Detective Chief Inspector Mike Stubbins described Hussain as a hardworking law student who “kept himself out of trouble” and said his death could have happened to “anybody’s son”.

He added: “Hussain’s killing was a tragedy that shocked the community to its core. His life was tragically cut short due to the actions of two young men the same age as him.

“Ward and Morris went purposefully to Hussain’s family home to commit a robbery and steal the clothes. They had made clear arrangements to facilitate this by taking large machete style knives, fake money and stalling things to get into a booked taxi.

“When things went wrong, they happily and willingly resorted to threats and using violence. A designer clothing sale should never have resulted in a life ending in such a brutal way.

“Hussain’s family, who tried to defend and protect him on the day, have not only been left with physical scars, but face the huge emotional and psychological burden of trying to come to terms with his death.”

Hussain died just ouside his home from a stab wound to the neck, despite the best efforts of paramedics and an off-duty doctor who intervened at the scene.

His mother suffered a serious injury to her thumb, while one of his brothers received an injury to the hand.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.