Drug dealers who murdered aspiring lawyer in case of mistaken identity jailed for life

3 August 2023, 16:25

Rashid Gedel, top right and Shiroh Ambersley have been sentenced for killing aspiring lawyer Sven Badzak - pictured with his mother - in a case of mistaken identity
Rashid Gedel, top right and Shiroh Ambersley have been sentenced for killing aspiring lawyer Sven Badzak - pictured with his mother - in a case of mistaken identity. Picture: Twitter/Jasna Badzak/Metropolitan police

By Asher McShane

Two drug dealers have been jailed for the mistaken identity killing of an aspiring lawyer on the streets of north west London.

Rashid Gedel, 22, and Shiroh Ambersley, 23, were jailed at the Old Bailey today for life with a minimum term of 27 years for the murder of 22-year-old Sven Badzak in February 2021.

Ahead of their sentencing, the victim's mother said dealing with the Metropolitan Police was "harder than getting someone convicted in The Hague".

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

Sven's mother Jasna Badzak shared this image of them together at Christmas on her social media
Sven's mother Jasna Badzak shared this image of them together at Christmas on her social media. Picture: @JasnaBadzak

Mr Badzak 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.

Following a trial at the Old Bailey, drug dealers Rashid Gedel, 22, from Ilford; and Shiroh Ambersley, 23, from Wembley; were found guilty of Mr Badzak's murder last month.

They were each acquitted of attempted murder of the 16-year-old but were convicted of wounding with intent.

Asked what she thought of how the police dealt with the crime on Times Radio, Mr Badzak's mother, Jasna, said: "It was horrendous for us, they were saying that it was gang-related violence, implying that Sven was a gangster."

Read more: 'Major breach of security': Ex-police chief demands probe as five people held after eco-protesters scaled PM's home

Read more: Yacht used in Princess Diana's iconic last holiday with Dodi sinks after hitting object in French Riviera

Sven was stabbed to death and his 16-year-old friend was stabbed, but survived after running into a shop for help
Sven was stabbed to death and his 16-year-old friend was stabbed, but survived after running into a shop for help. Picture: @JasnaBadzak

She added it became a "problem" for police to get CCTV and they were "very reluctant to do that".

Ms Badzak, who was previously a protected witness in two trials of war criminals at The Hague after fleeing her native Yugoslavia, earlier told the Times: "Putting criminals behind bars in The Hague was a piece of cake compared with dealing with the Metropolitan police."

She described her son as "calm and collected" and said he "never, ever had any altercations with anybody who would be involved in something like that".

Ms Badzak added she was threatened with arrest for "interfering with the investigation".

She added: "I was demanding that they arrest the killers and even arresting any one of them would take at least seven to 10 days."

Gedel and Ambersley are set to be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Thursday.

A spokesperson for the Met Police said: "Officers have made a number of arrests in addition to those charged with Mr Badzak's murder, the inquiry continues.

"Officers are determined to bring all those responsible for the death of Sven Badzak to justice."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Cracks over Starmer’s 'premature' peacekeeping plan as Europe left ‘irritated’ following crisis summit

Cracks over Starmer’s 'premature' peacekeeping plan as Europe left ‘irritated’ following crisis summit

The woman was attacked by a shark

Family of woman whose hands were bitten off by shark reveal 'nightmare' after husband fought off '7ft' predator

Renée Zellweger

Mad about the Box Office: Latest Bridget Jones installment smashes rom com record

Exclusive
David Gauke wants to reduce the size of the female prison estate to make room for more male inmates. File image shows Pentonville prison

Send fewer women to jail to make room for male inmates, says former Justice Secretary

x

Starmer will ensure UK is 'leading country' as European nations step up in support of Ukraine

Gunner Beck

Women in Army subjected to 'disgusting' comments from male colleagues amid misogynistic culture, inquest hears

The aircraft can be seen upside down, with its wheels in the air, and the area thick with snow

Passenger jet 'flips over' during landing in Toronto leaving 15 injured - with three critical

Paula Miluska had started working from home in November 2022 due to her pregnancy illness

Woman awarded £93k payout after boss fires her for morning sickness by sending jazz hands emoji

c

Britain must take a ‘leading responsibility’ for peace in Ukraine, says PM as he calls for US ‘security guarantee’

Andrew Tate is facing allegations of trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering

Trump team 'pressuring Romania to lift restrictions on Andrew Tate'

Skyrora, a rocket company with its headquarters in Edinburgh

Scottish company promises to blast rockets into space from 2026

A petition calling for major driving licence changes has received almost 100,000 signatures

Petition calls for ban on newly-qualified drivers carrying passengers under 25

The Princess of Wales has shares portraits drawn by her three children during the half-term break.

Princess of Wales shares heartwarming portraits drawn by George, Charlotte and Louis - but who drew who?

Double Olympic champion and Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas will retire from cycling this year.

Tour de France winner and double Olympic champion Geraint Thomas to retire from cycling at end of season

A 13-year-old boy has died and five others have been arrested following  a car crash on A672 Oldham Road.

Boy, 13, dies and five others arrested as Vauxhall Corsa spins off road in horror car crash

Lisa Smith, 43, was named by Kent Police

Pictured: Mother-of-two shot dead at pub on Valentine's Day - as police search river Thames for partner