Both Sven Badzak’s killers jailed for life for murder

Sven Badzak, 22, and a 16-year-old friend were attacked by a group of six young men as they walked in Willesden Lane, Kilburn on the afternoon of February 6, 2021.

Sven was repeatedly stabbed after falling to the ground, while his friend suffered multiple stab injuries but managed to run into a nearby supermarket for help.

Rashid Gedel, 22, from Ilford and Shiroh Ambersley, 23, from Wembley were sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 27 years at the Old Bailey today (August 3).

They were each acquitted of attempted murder of the 16-year-old but were convicted of wounding with intent and sentenced to 12 years to run concurrently.

Harvey Canavan, 19, from Maida Vale,  was jailed for seven-and-a-half years for manslaughter and 15 months for unlawful wounding to run concurrently.

Sven’s mother Jasna Badzak, told the Ham&High, said: “I’m extremely grateful to the judge and somewhat relieved but I miss Sven like crazy. I can’t sleep, I’m waking up every half an hour, trying to grab him. He’s constantly on my mind and will forever be.

“It never ever gets easier. It’s a constant thing, he’s my only child, my everything.”

The court heard the two killers walked into a bakery in Kilburn and stared at two females at the counter, before leaving without buying anything.

Detectives believe they were actively looking for someone to attack.

Sven and his friend were walking along the same road at the time and Gedel approached them from behind and was joined by Ambersley.

Sven fled a short distance before collapsing in the street, where he was then reportedly punched and kicked by the defendants.

The friend managed to escape and asked people at a supermarket for help.

Sven was treated by paramedics, but died at the scene.

Anthony Orchard KC, prosecuting, said the victims were targeted in a “gang-style attack” over what the killers regarded as their drugs territory.

He told the court previously: “Neither victim was a gang member or associate.

“It appears they were the unfortunate victims of mistaken identity.”

Mr Badzak suffered four injuries, one of which was fatal, and the then 16-year-old victim suffered one injury to his back which was “nearly fatal”, Mr Orchard added.

Judge John Dodd KC called the eight-second attack “brutal and savage and swift”.

He said: “Sven Badzak was clearly a decent young man. He was 22 when you attacked and killed him.

“It’s clear that he’d done absolutely nothing wrong on that February day.”

Jasna added: “I remember every day from the day he was born. He loved hugging, as soon as he could talk he never stopped. I would tell him chatterbox will you stop but he liked debating. I miss these debates. He was the kindest, most loving boy.

“I’m never going to stop until the three others are all behind bars.”

Lior Agbayan, 20, had fled to the Ivory Coast and has not returned.

Police are still searching for two males who they want to speak to in connection with the murder, following a CCTV appeal in February 2022.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting CAD 5580/06FEB21. 

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.