Brentwood man David Odunuga jailed for Brian Edwards murder

David Odunuga, 33, of Rollason Way in Brentwood, was sentenced to serve at least 27 years for murdering Brian Edwards, 53, who he stabbed three times after an argument in north London.

Odunuga, a drug dealer, who appeared at Inner London Crown Court yesterday (April 4), attacked Brian after a dispute near Finsbury Park on September 19, 2023.

Odunuga was found guilty of murder and possession of an offensive weapon at the Old Bailey on April 2.

Emergency services were called at 4am on the morning of the killing when 53-year-old Brian was found injured outside his Tollington Park house, and died a short time later.

Det Ch Insp Lucy Carberry, investigation lead, said: "This case is a stark reminder of the devastation drugs cause to communities across London.

"It should also act as a warning to those habitually carrying knives and engaging in serious violence that every effort will be made to identify and prosecute you, to ensure other families and communities do not have to feel the pain and loss that Brian’s family currently do," she added.

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Brian Edwards was stabbed to death following an argument with Odunuga in north London (Image: Met Police)

Odunuga was also sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for possession of a knife which will run concurrently.

Two of Brian's friends, who had been at his house the night he was killed, said he had gone outside to meet a drug dealer and heard him shouting for help.

Neighbours told police there was arguing, the suspect was wearing a mask and had been rummaging in a silver vehicle which was at the scene.

Police linked the silver BMW to Odunuga and trawled CCTV footage to track his movements.

The 33-year old was arrested at his Brentwood home on September 22 last year after an operation between the Metropolitan Police and Essex Police.

A black balaclava and a large knife sheath were found inside another vehicle owned by Odunuga at the time.

During the trial, Odunuga admitted having changed his name by deed poll to allow him to obtain a driving licence and passport used to evade prosecution for traffic offences and circumvent being disqualified from driving.

He claimed that a drug dealer took his vehicle from him as part of a drugs debt just hours before Brian was murdered and denied that he was with Brian at the time of the murder.

Det Ch Insp Carberry said: "My thoughts are with Brian’s family, I hope that the sentence passed down brings them a small measure of comfort.

"I want to thank Brian’s wife and children for the dignity shown throughout this difficult time."