Sameer Hussain, 29, who attempted to cover up an assault that took place in his restaurant, has been convicted of perverting the course of justice. Hussain, of Clarence Road, Hackney, reportedly destroyed all forensic evidence and erased CCTV after two men were stabbed in his takeaway. He was arrested on February 10 and on July 26, sentenced to 21 months imprisonment and suspended for two years.
The incident took place on December 23 last year, when two men aged 26 and 29, attacked while they were placing their order at the eatery in Chatsworth Road. In due time, officials found out that while Hussain was the manager in charge that night and not involved in the stabbing, he systematically covered up the crime after he witnessed it. He failed to call 999, and left the two men to lurch into a nearby hospital. When approached by detectives of Hackney CID, Hussain told them that the shop's CCTV system was broken and had not been recording. However, investigation revealed that Hussain had deliberately erased the CCTV footage of the stabbing and also used bleach to destroy the forensic evidence left behind in his shop.
Detective Constable Ben Kahane, officer in charge of the investigation, said, "Through the actions of Hussain, two men were prevented from seeing justice done. Hussain arrogantly thought that by deleting CCTV footage and destroying forensic evidence there would be no consequences to his actions, and that the police would leave him and his business alone. " He added, "The sentence sends out a clear message to those considering destroying evidence to frustrate police investigations. Should you actively attempt to obstruct the police and tamper with a crime scene, your actions will be investigated, you will be prosecuted and you may find yourself in prison."
