Wembley Way killers arrested in Woolwich are jailed for life

Hamza Iqbal, 25, was with friends at around 11pm on September 24 last year when they were suddenly attacked by three youths wielding machetes. 

Joshua Oladele, Micah Hines and Ali Alamiri, all aged 21, were carrying out a revenge attack on behalf of 28-year-old Dontae Smicle, who had been stabbed 11 days earlier. 

On Wednesday (August 28) the three attackers were jailed for life for Hamza's murder but Snaresbrook Crown Court heard that Smicle has fled the country. 

Hamza’s grieving family described him as a family man and the joker of the household. 

One of six children, Hamza’s siblings said: “Although mum would never admit it, he was the favourite.” 

They said: “Hamza was football crazy. Although he wasn’t the best at playing he was obsessed with Arsenal and never missed a game.” 

On the day he was murdered, Hamza had watched the North London Derby. 

Later that evening he was in Wembley Way when their group was spotted by Smicle, who believed they were responsible for an attack on him on September 13. 

Wembley Way where Hamza was murdered (Image: Newsquest) Judge Rosa Dean, Honorary Recorder of Redbridge, said the attack took place against the background of a gang territory dispute. 

Smicle phoned Oladele, who had worked as a drug runner since he was 13, then picked the trio up and drove them to the area. 

After exiting the car wearing hoodies and balaclavas, the three attackers were seen by an eye-witness in a huddle hyping each other up. 

When Hamza and his friends saw the attackers they ran. Oladele chased Hamza while Hines and Alamiri chased others. 

Judge Dean said Alamiri slashed at one man’s legs and described it as a “miracle” that the man escaped. 

“Hamza was not so lucky,” Judge Dean said. 

Oladele chased down Hamza whilst stabbing him, then continued to stab him nine more times while he lay defenceless on the ground. 

Hines then joined in the brutal attack, stabbing Hamza three more times. 

Judge Dean said: “I’m sorry to add to his family’s distress by spelling out the obvious truth, but he must have been in absolute terror as he was stabbed again and again.”   

Left to right: Oladele, Hines and Alamari (Image: Met Police) Hamza was pronounced dead at Northwick Park Hospital around an hour later. 

His family said no words can capture how they felt when they got the call that night. 

“You never think something like this will ever happen to your own family, so you keep repeating he’s ok, he’s ok, they can’t take him yet he’s just a baby, nobody would ever want to hurt Hamza.” 

They described how the hardest part is seeing their mum’s face every day knowing she will never be the same. 

“There’s an empty void, an empty seat at the dinner table,” they said. 

The three attackers made their getaway in Smicle’s car but Oladele and Hines were arrested a few days later in Woolwich, where they were hiding out, while Alamiri was arrested at his home address. 

At trial the trio, who are all from Wembley, claimed they were just trying to scare Hamza’s group and were only doing it because they were instructed by Smicle, who they were scared of. 

However, a jury convicted them each of murder. 

Police at the scene of the murder (Image: Newsquest) Sentencing the trio, Judge Dean said: “This was a punishment killing carried out by you as a group. 

She said: “I hope you are sorry for what you have done. It is too early to say if you are. None of you during the trial have shown any pity or a word of apology for your actions,  

“Everything you have done has been to try to save yourselves and minimise your responsibility. 

“I will accept that the plan was Dontae Smicle’s but you were all ready and willing to execute it.” 

They were each sentenced to life in prison, Oladele with a minimum of 28 years, Hines with a minimum of 25 years and Alamiri with a minimum of 24 years.