London, United Kingdom – A man, Alex Ogden, 28, has been sentenced to 32 months in jail for a violent homophobic attack in Islington, North London. Ogden used a knife to slash the face of a man in his 50s, accompanied by hateful slurs, in an appalling incident on October 18.
This prolific criminal, with 39 prior convictions spread across the UK, fled after the attack, leading to a 15-day nationwide manhunt before his arrest in Southwark. Admitting to grievous bodily harm at Snaresbrook Crown Court, Ogden was also given a five-year restraining order to protect the victim.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Ridley commended his team for securing the conviction against Ogden, highlighting his history of targeting multiple victims across the country. The incident was classified as a homophobic hate crime due to the derogatory comments made during the assault, emphasizing the Metropolitan Police’s dedication to combatting hate crimes within the LGBTQ+ community.
Ridley urged anyone who has experienced hate crimes to come forward, emphasizing the commitment to prosecute individuals seeking to cause harm. Ogden, who has no fixed address, has a long history of offending, primarily in the north of England, particularly Yorkshire and on the train network.
The conviction serves as a testament to the Met’s unwavering stance against hate crimes targeting the LGBTQ+ community, reinforcing their dedication to pursuing justice and protecting vulnerable individuals from harm. These efforts underscore the importance of reporting hate crimes to ensure perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.