London, United Kingdom – A man has been sentenced to jail after carrying out a violent homophobic attack in Islington. Alex Ogden, 28, without a permanent address, was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm and was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday, April 23, following his admission of guilt.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, when Ogden assaulted a man in his 50s at a residence in Islington. Using a knife, he verbally abused the victim with homophobic slurs, resulting in facial cuts and a broken nose for the victim.
Following the attack, Ogden fled the scene, prompting a nationwide manhunt initiated by the Metropolitan Police. Through forensic evidence recovered from the crime scene, Ogden was identified as the suspect leading to his arrest in Southwark on November 2.
During court proceedings, it was revealed that Ogden had a lengthy history of criminal offenses with 39 prior convictions mainly in the north of England, particularly in Yorkshire and on trains.
As a consequence of his actions, Ogden received a 32-month prison sentence, along with a five-year restraining order to protect the victim upon his release. Detective Chief Inspector Paul Ridley commended the efforts of his team in securing a conviction against Ogden, highlighting the severity of the crime as a hate crime due to the homophobic nature of the attack. Ridley encouraged other potential victims of hate crimes to come forward.
The sentencing of Ogden showcases the Metropolitan Police’s dedication to addressing hate crimes within the LGBTQ+ community and their commitment to prosecuting individuals who perpetrate harm.