Men hid man's body in boot for 22 days found guilty of manslaughter

Two men have been of manslaughter after being caught trying to dispose of the body of a . Justin Henry, 34, was found dead in the boot of a car after he was last seen alive in a in Croydon.

Lewis Benjamin, 30, and Jamal Ali-Richards, 29, had tried to hide his body following his death in Benjamin's flat on Waddon New Road, on Sunday, October 15, 2023.

Justin's car stayed outside Benjamin's flat for over two hours but was then moved to Kingswood Drive, a 19-minute drive away. It is believed that Justin had sadly died by this point, and someone else had moved his car. Benjamin was highlighted to as a suspect in his disappearance because of the fact his car has been parked outside his home. His friend, Ali-Richards, was also marked as a suspect.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

When police arrived at Benjamin's home officers found that it had been cleared of most furniture and the carpet had been ripped up and removed. The flat also appeared to have been recently deep-cleaned. Police declared the flat as a crime scene.

Forensic analysis of samples taken from the flat confrmed splatters found on the walls were infact blood. Black plastic bags containing a section of heavily blood-soaked carpet were also found less than 100 metres away from the flat on further investigation. When tested, the blood from the address and the carpet was matched to Justin Henry.

Benjamin was arrested on October 24, 2023. When officers arrived at this address, he fled the property and threw his phone away before being detained and arrested. When his phone was analysed, it showed that Benjamin had been in contact with Justin Henry before his disappearance.

Despite Benjamin refusing to answer any questions during police interviews he was charged with murder on October 25. Jus two days later Ali-Richards handed himself in to the police and was arrested and subsequently charged with murder on October 29.

On Monday, November 6, officers found one of two cars bought by the defendants after Justin's death. The car had false number plates on and was parked off Dale Road in Purley. When forensic officers arrived, Justin's body was found in the boot.

At trial in Woolwich Crown Court, Benjamin pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice following his attempts to disguise his actions and dispose of evidence on February 17, 2025. Ali-Richards also pleaded guilty to the same charge at the same trial on March 21, 2025. Both men pleaded not guilty to murder, but following an eight-week trial, which began on February 17, 2025, they were both convicted of manslaughter. On Thursday, April 10, the pair were found not guilty of murder.

'The loss of Justin continues to have a long lasting and devastating impact on his family and friends'

Detective Chief Inspector Craig Magee of the Met's Specialist Crime Team who led the investigation said: "Justin's disappearance prompted a complex and extensive investigation. Today's verdict is testament to the painstaking efforts of the investigation team. Benjamin and Ali-Richards went to great lengths to dispose of evidence and cover their tracks, which included significant attempts to dispose of Justin's body. Despite these efforts, the team worked tirelessly to piece together the evidence and establish the facts.

"The loss of Justin continues to have a long lasting and devastating impact on his family and friends. Throughout the investigation and trial, the strength and resilience shown by them has been extraordinary. I hope that today's verdict will provide an opportunity for them to begin rebuilding their lives."

Ali-Richards and Benjamin will appear at Woolwich Crown Court on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, for sentencing.