Omar Wilson, 31, was sentenced today to a minimum of 18 years for murdering Mussie Imnetu, 41, in Queensway last August, reports Marco Marcelline
A Leytonstone man has been jailed for the murder of a top chef in August last year.
Omar Wilson, 31, was sentenced today (28th February) to a minimum jail term of 18 years for punching Mussie Imnetu, 41, to death in Queensway, west London, on 26th August 2024.
Mussie, who was head chef at an exclusive member’s club in Dubai, had been visiting London on business before he was fatally attacked.
Emergency services found him unconscious with a head injury at around 11.22pm on 26th August. He was taken to hospital but sadly died on 30th August from a catastrophic brain injury.
Early reporting of the murder suggested Mussie was attacked at Notting Hill Carnival, which he had attended earlier that day.
However, he was found unconscious outside the carnival area near Dr Power restaurant in Queensway, hours after the carnival had finished.
Wilson was initially charged with causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) but his charge updated to murder after Mussie died.
During court hearings it was heard that Wilson had headbutted an intoxicated Mussie, before punching him several times to his head and continuing to punch him repeatedly after he fell to the floor. Wilson then kicked the defenceless chef in the head.
Detectives were able to use CCTV footage alongside DNA from a pair of sunglasses to prove that Wilson had killed Mussie.
Wilson claimed that he attacked Mussie in self-defence, and alleged that Mussie had hit him over the head with a broken bottle and was harassing women. However he was found guilty of murder by a jury majority, with Judge Phillip Katz reportedly calling the bottle claim a “deliberate lie”.
After the attack Wilson quickly left the area, and travelled across London to attend a nightclub on Gaunt Street, in Elephant and Castle. This was only about an hour-and-a-half after his attack on Mussie.
Although Wilson fled the scene, he dropped his sunglasses and house and car keys. Officers were able to recover his DNA from the sunglasses, and the keys were a perfect fit for his house and car.
The jury were also shown messages sent by Wilson to friends in in the aftermath of the attack. In one of them he said: “There’s a monster in me … and it’s just like sometimes it comes out. And I think I’ve messed up now … and everything’s finished” and “I’ve f***** up … I crossed the line and went overboard. I don’t think I can come back from this mistake … I’m going jail in the morning”.
In another he said that “I did the hands ting…finished one guy man” and was told by a friend to “get a solicitor and use your ADHD”.
Wilson was arrested on Wednesday 28th August and charged the following day.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Mussie was executive head chef at The Brasserie at The Arts Club Dubai. The Swedish chef had previously worked at the exclusive members club’s London branch, and at the Oblix at The Shard and The Savoy Grill.
His profile also states he had worked with celebrity chefs like Alain Ducasse and Gordon Ramsay during his career.
The Arts Club Dubai’s website credits him for crafting an “ever-changing, seasonal menu inspired by flavours from the Mediterranean and beyond.” He worked at the largest of three restaurants at the members club, where a full annual membership costs around £3,260.
A statement from The Arts Club Dubai and London, said: “Known for his passion, calm demeanour and kindness, Mussie truly embodied the essence of the Club.
“A well-travelled chef, Mussie hails from Eritrea and grew up in Sweden. He was a keen footballer and famously counted on his now eight-year-old son to taste test his culinary masterpieces.”
As the BBC reports, in a pre-recorded victim impact statement played at the Old Bailey, Mussie’s wife Linda Imnetu described him as “respected, admired and loved”.
She said: “Mussie didn’t just leave behind a legacy for his family, he left an indelible mark on his workplace and community.
“Nothing can undo what has been taken from us. I ask the court to remember the man Mussie was: his character, his integrity and the life he built; not just the circumstances of his passing.”
An audio recording of Mussie’s young son was also played to the court, where he said: “I love you. Bye bye Daddy.”
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