Man Convicted Of Murdering British-Nigerian Teenager In London, Faces Life Sentence

A London court has convicted Marcus Monzo, a 37-year-old Spanish-Brazilian man, of the murder of British-Nigerian schoolboy Daniel Anjorin, who was fatally attacked with a sword while walking to school in Hainault, Northeast London, on April 30, 2024.

Monzo was found guilty on Wednesday at the Old Bailey of murder, three counts of attempted murder, aggravated burglary, grievous bodily harm, and possession of an offensive weapon. He is expected to be sentenced to life imprisonment on Friday.

According to court testimony, Monzo ambushed 14-year-old Daniel from behind, striking him with a samurai sword in a deliberate and brutal attack to the head and neck. Witnesses said Monzo screamed with “delight” following the assault. Daniel succumbed to his injuries on the scene.

Monzo’s violent spree lasted approximately 20 minutes, during which he injured two police officers, a pedestrian, and a couple inside their home. At one point, he reportedly drove his van into a man before attacking him with the same sword.

The court heard that Monzo, who holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, claimed to have been in a disoriented state after allegedly consuming ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic brew. However, forensic tests found no traces of the substance, and the prosecution rejected his claim of diminished responsibility, arguing that self-induced intoxication is not a defense under UK law.

The jury ultimately rejected Monzo’s defense and delivered a unanimous guilty verdict.

During the trial, Daniel’s parents were present in court and described their son as “a beloved child and a precious brother,” expressing deep sorrow over his tragic and senseless death.

Monzo showed no visible emotion as the verdicts were read. He had previously admitted to possessing the samurai sword and a second bladed weapon — a katana — discovered in his van following the incident.

The case has sparked renewed concern over violent crime involving bladed weapons in the UK, especially attacks targeting minors.