A man who admitted leading a life of crime but denied his role in the killing of a young father from south London has been convicted of murder.
Detectives investigating the fatal stabbing of Rohan Trotman in Peckham last year arrested and charged 19-year-old Yusuf Kallon within two weeks of the killing.
A jury heard how detectives proved Kallon had dumped his phone shortly after the murder, and spent hundreds of hours on intensive CCTV trawls to identify him as a suspect.
Detectives also revealed that Kallon was making desperate plans to flee, by making credit card payments to a holiday company in Spain, booking a flight to Sierra Leone and paying for a new fast-tracked passport.
On Monday, 3 June, a jury convicted Kallon of murder and two counts of robbery.
Detective Chief Inspector Laurence Smith, who led the investigation, said: “Rohan was a much loved son, partner, and brother. Put simply, he was killed by Kallon for his new electric bike in a senseless attack that has devastated a family.
“I am glad that the jury saw through Kallon’s lies, and I would like to thank my team for their diligent work which allowed clear and incontrovertible evidence to be shown in court.
“My thoughts and condolences remain with Rohan’s family, and I hope they can find some small measure of comfort in Kallon’s conviction.”
Rohan’s mother, Debra, said: “I would like to thank the exemplary efforts of the police in bringing Kallon to justice.”
Rohan, 26, was stabbed on the evening of Sunday, 25 June 2023 in Gordon Road near to the junction with Nunhead Green, SE15.
The court heard that he had been cycling home from Croydon on his new electric bike, when he was attacked by Kallon and another man, who fled the country shortly afterwards.
The pair left Rohan bleeding in the street with multiple stab wounds, and he died the next day in hospital.
Kallon, (06.09.03) of Marmont Road, SE15 was also charged with two counts of robbery and possession of an offensive weapon. He was also found guilty of the two robbery charges.
The court was told that Kallon’s accomplice fled the UK before police could link him to the murder and make an arrest.
Both had committed a robbery earlier that day, shortly before the murder, stealing a motorbike from the Waterloo area.
Kallon was found not guilty of possession of an offensive weapon.
He will be sentenced at the same court on 28 June.
