Bromley Man and Drifter Guilty of Brutal Throat-Stabbing Murder Over Bottles of Rum
Two Convicted for Murder of Lennox Alcendor
James Rochester, 43, of Bromley High Street, E3, and Christian Fearon, 30, a drifter with no fixed address, were found guilty on Friday, 6 November of murdering 42-year-old Lennox Alcendor. The verdict came after a tense Old Bailey trial. Fearon was also convicted of robbery, while Rochester had already admitted to that charge.
Both men were remanded in custody and will return to court for sentencing on Tuesday, 17 November.
Fatal Argument Over Rum Turns Deadly
On the morning of Friday, 21 February, police and London Ambulance Service rushed to Anson Road, NW2, at 6:45am after reports of an injured man. They found Lennox with a fatal 11-inch stab wound to his throat.
A post-mortem confirmed the cause of death as the stab wound. Police launched a homicide investigation led by Detective Chief Inspector Simon Stancombe from the Specialist Crime Command.
Blow-Up Over Debt and Rum Leads to Brutal Attack
The court heard Lennox had gone to Cricklewood with a friend to buy two bottles of rum from the defendants. Negotiations took place in a mutual friend’s flat, but an argument erupted when Lennox refused to pay. He claimed Rochester owed him money through a dispute with his ex-girlfriend.
After leaving the flat with the rum, Rochester and Fearon chased them down. In a savage attack, Rochester pulled an 11-inch plasterboard saw from his waistband and stabbed Lennox in the throat. The pair then punched and kicked Lennox as he lay dying, while his friend tried in vain to intervene.
They stole Lennox’s watch and took back one bottle of rum (the other was smashed), before walking off calmly.
Police Tracking Culprits Through CCTV Leads to Arrest
Extensive CCTV footage helped police identify Rochester and Fearon, who were both arrested on 25 February. Upon arrest, Fearon denied the murder, claiming someone else was involved and that he didn’t do anything.
“Lennox was killed in a residential street as many people were waking up and starting their day. We may never know exactly what happened but it seems it boiled down to a row over the sale of two bottles of rum,” said Detective Chief Inspector Simon Stancombe. “This seemingly minor issue culminated in a vicious and sustained attack on a man who was unable to defend himself. The defendants then callously stole the watch from their victim’s wrist. “At court, Rochester claimed he acted only in self-defence. Fearon said he was unaware that Rochester had a knife and lied about being involved in the attack. These are two dangerous and violent individuals and I’m pleased the jury were able to see through their deceit.”
