Four Sentenced Over Deadly Taxi Ambush in East London

Four men have been sentenced for their involvement in the fatal stabbing of a taxi passenger in a targeted attack that took place in Newham, East London. The victim, 26-year-old Anselam Senaj, was killed on 11 November 2023 after the taxi he was travelling in was forcibly stopped by a silver Mitsubishi vehicle. The attackers surrounded the vehicle and launched a brutal knife attack, described by the judge as both premeditated and callous. This case follows a pattern of violent incidents involving taxi drivers and passengers across the UK, such as the jailing of Steven Greig for a brutal attack on a taxi driver.

At the Old Bailey, Muhammad Saqib Khan, 24, from Enfield, was found guilty of murder and received a life sentence with a minimum term of 26 years. Muhammad Samiyul Miah, 19, from Manor Park, also convicted of murder, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 25 years. Zain Ali, 22, and Ibrahim Naim, 18, both from East Ham, were found guilty of manslaughter. Ali received 14 years in prison, while Naim was sentenced to 10 years and six months.

Elira Senaj, the victim’s cousin, condemned the attackers during the sentencing hearing:

"Cowards and little boys you will always be. You needed numbers and weapons to carry out your task. You fought like a boy not a man where it was an even playing field."

The court heard that Mr Senaj had foreseen the danger moments before the attack, telling the taxi driver:

"There is one car behind – they will kill me."

Three masked assailants exited the Mitsubishi, wielding knives up to 60cm in length. Mr Senaj, still seated in the taxi, was stabbed in the chest. The attackers fled the scene, and the stolen car was later found burned out. Emergency services were unable to save the victim.

Prosecutor Alexandra Healy KC told the court:

"It appears from the drugs subsequently found on Mr Senaj and messages received from his phone that he was involved in drug dealing."

Judge Judy Khan KC described the nature of the killing while delivering sentencing:

"It was a callous and shocking attack... pre-meditated and planned."

Miah's sentence also reflected a separate conviction for the rape of a 15-year-old girl in North London earlier in 2023. Ali was additionally found responsible for stealing Mr Senaj's mobile phone.

Judge Judy Khan KC added:

"This was not a spontaneous act of violence but a deliberate and orchestrated ambush that claimed a life in a public space."
"This comment underlines the severity and planning behind the attack."