In London, England, a man has been sentenced to jail for a violent homophobic attack in Islington after a nation-wide manhunt. Alex Ogden, 28, was convicted of grievous bodily harm and sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday, April 23, following his guilty plea.
The incident took place on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, when Ogden attacked a man in his 50s at an address in Islington. Ogden verbally abused the man with homophobic slurs while wielding a knife, resulting in cuts to the victim’s face and a broken nose.
Following the attack, Ogden fled the scene, triggering a nationwide manhunt that commenced on November 1. Through forensic evidence found at the site, authorities identified Ogden as the suspect, leading to his arrest in Southwark on November 2.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Ogden had a lengthy history of criminal offenses, with 39 previous convictions primarily in the north of England, notably in Yorkshire and on trains. As a result of his actions, Ogden was sentenced to 32 months in prison and was issued a five-year restraining order to protect the victim upon his release on license.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Ridley of the Central North Public Protection Team commended the officers for securing a conviction against Ogden, emphasizing the serious nature of the homophobic hate crime and urging members of the public to report any incidents of hate crime they may encounter.
This conviction highlights law enforcement’s dedication to combating hate crimes within the LGBTQ+ community and prosecuting individuals who attempt to inflict harm based on discrimination.