The more you crush police spirit the harder it is to fight crime, says Met boss as cop is cleared of Chris Kaba’s murder
Sgt Blake shot unarmed dad-to-be Mr Kaba in the head after he tried to ram his Audi Q8 out of the police trap in September 2022
A GUN cop who shot dead a driver to stop him running over colleagues was yesterday cleared of murder in just three hours.
Martyn Blake, 40, had been suspended for two years and spent three weeks in court over the killing of Chris Kaba.
After the verdict, the head of Britain’s biggest police force warned: “The more we crush the spirit of good officers the less they can fight crime.”
Met boss Sir Mark Rowley hit out after a jury acquitted the firearms officer.
Sir Mark added: “No police officer is above the law, but we have been clear that the system holding police to account is broken.
“I worry about the lack of support officers face for doing their best, but most of all I worry for the public.”
Sgt Blake shot unarmed dad-to-be Mr Kaba in the head after he tried to ram his Audi Q8 out of the police trap in September 2022.
Old Bailey jurors heard the car had been flagged up following a shooting in Brixton the night before.
The prosecution said the shooting was unjustified, and suggested Sgt Blake may have been “angry, frustrated and annoyed” because Mr Kaba refused to comply.
But Sgt Blake told jurors he fired as he feared a colleague would be killed by the Audi in Streatham, South London.
There was not a shred of evidence . . . it was a flawed prosecution. The case was weighed heavily against Martyn Blake
Ex-Met marksman Tony Long, cleared of murder over 2005 shooting of Azelle Rodney
Last night the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and Crown Prosecution Service were accused of a “political prosecution” with flimsy evidence, amid community tensions over the killing.
Ex-Met marksman Tony Long, cleared of murder over the 2005 shooting of Azelle Rodney, said of Sgt Blake’s case: “There was not a shred of evidence . . . it was a flawed prosecution.
“The case was weighed heavily against Martyn Blake.”
Sir Mark Rowley spoke of the impact on the case for the families of the officer and Mr Kaba.
He said: “Over the past two years Sgt Blake has paid a huge personal and professional sacrifice.
“This has been an incredibly difficult time for him and his family and he has acted with professionalism and dignity throughout.
“This case has had an enormous impact on many.
“Chris Kaba’s family and friends continue to grieve the loss of a loved one and today will be tremendously difficult for them.”
Married dad-of-two Sgt Blake, described by colleagues as “the very opposite of a gung-ho armed cop”, puffed his cheeks in relief at the verdict.
His suspension was immediately lifted. But he may still lose his job under police accountability rules.
The IOPC will review whether disciplinary proceedings remain appropriate.
‘Imminent threat to life’
Meanwhile, Mr Kaba’s family, including mum Helen Lumuanganu and dad Prosper Kaba, hit out at the verdict.
And last night at least 125 protesters gathered outside the court to campaign against what they say was state violence.
The family said in a statement: “The not guilty verdict leaves us with the deep pain of injustice adding to the unbearable sorrow we have felt since Chris was killed.
“No family should endure the unimaginable grief we have faced.
“Chris was stolen from us, and this decision shows his life — and many others like him — does not matter to the system. Our son deserved better.”
The family said they would continue “fighting for Chris, for justice, and for real change”.
Temi Mwale, of the Justice for Chris Kaba campaign, added: “Within 12 seconds of the enforced stop, Martyn Blake shot Chris in the forehead. None of us want to live in a society where the police can kill with impunity.”
On the night Mr Kaba was shot through the Audi’s windscreen, armed officers had been briefed about a “gang ride-out and new threats to life being issued”.
An armed response team spotted the Audi in nearby Camberwell and pursued at a distance.
Other mobile units joined to form a convoy of five police cars tailing the Audi.
Sgt Blake was among cops in a BMW, codenamed Foxtrot, waiting in Kirkstall Gardens, Streatham.
He had been due to join the back of the convoy but Mr Kaba turned into the side street. The BMW moved forward to block the Audi as a police Volvo pulled up behind.
Jurors heard how Mr Kaba tried to ram his way between Sgt Blake’s BMW and a parked Tesla.
He then reversed with wheels spinning as officers on foot surrounded the Audi.
Sgt Blake told the jury he opened fire with his SIG Sauer MCX, insisting he had not meant to kill.
The officer said: “I had a genuine belief there was an imminent threat to life, I thought one or more of my colleagues was about to die.
“I thought I was the only one with firearms cover at the time.
“I shot just above the steering wheel, which I felt was the greatest chance of hitting the central body mass of the driver.”
Prosecutor Tom Little alleged Sgt Blake had no need to shoot as Mr Kaba was not posing a threat.
Mr Little said the Audi was stationary, with its reverse lights on, and Mr Kaba had his hands on the steering wheel.
A succession of police witnesses giving evidence for the prosecution told how they were in fear of their lives from Mr Kaba’s car.
One suggested he would have opened fire too.
Other police witnesses told how they had never seen Sgt Blake lose his temper.
Defence barrister Patrick Gibbs said the firearms officer was “no RoboCop with the nanosecond reactions”.
The ordeal he has gone through, unthinkable. We must back our brave police and not drag them through the courts for making split-second decisions.
Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick on cop trial
At the verdict, Judge Mr Justice Goss denied the jury permission to make a statement to the court.
Meanwhile, Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick described Sgt Blake as “a hero who found himself fearing for his life and the life of his colleagues”.
He added: “His prosecution was wrong and endangered the public.
“The ordeal he has gone through, unthinkable.
“We must back our brave police and not drag them through the courts for making split-second decisions.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said it was imperative the jury’s decision was respected, adding everyone should be given the space to process the verdict.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “I understand the impact Chris Kaba’s death has had on London’s communities and the anger, pain and fear it has caused.
“There’s clearly still a wider lack of trust in the police, particularly in the black community, that needs to be addressed.”
The CPS defended their decision to prosecute, saying the case met its legal tests.
The IOPC’s Amanda Rowe said the criminal investigation and referral to the CPS “followed careful consideration of a significant amount of evidence”.
TIMELINE OF THE PROBE
THIS is how events unfolded two years ago.
September 5, 2022: A Tactical Firearms Commander is made aware of the sighting of an Audi Q8, driven by Chris Kaba, after ANPR camera flags up its alleged involvement in a shooting the previous night.
The commander declares a firearms incident and passes tactics to an armed response team. Armed officers pursue the car, which is forced to a stop at 10.07pm in Streatham Hill, South London.
As Mr Kaba revs the engine, an officer standing in front of the car fires a single shot through the windscreen.
September 6: Mr Kaba dies in hospital at 0.19am. The Metropolitan Police refers itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
September 7: Statement by Mr Kaba’s family’s calls for a murder investigation.
September 12: Met confirm Officer NX121 has been suspended from frontline duties
September 20, 2023: Officer charged with murder by the Crown Prosecution Service. Hundreds of colleagues reportedly turn in their weapons permits.
March 8, 2024: Judge lifts anonymity order, naming Martyn Blake as the officer.
October 21, 2024: Blake is cleared of murder, with jurors at the Old Bailey taking just three hours to reach a unanimous verdict.