Amidu Koroma, a 48-year-old resident of Railton Road, SE24, has been found guilty of the murder of his wife, 46-year-old Mariam Kamara, and the subsequent arson with intent to endanger life. The verdict was reached after a trial at the Old Bailey, and Koroma is set to be sentenced on Monday, 16 October.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Wood, who led the investigation, described the murder as a brutal act of violence against a woman. He highlighted that Koroma not only killed his wife but also started a fire in an attempt to cover up his crime, endangering the lives of others in the process.

The murder inquiry began when police were called to a house fire on Railton Road in the early hours of Monday, 24 January 2022. While Koroma and the couple’s son managed to escape the burning building, Mariam Kamara’s lifeless body was found in the top bedroom, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives became suspicious of Koroma’s behavior, as he made little effort to rescue his wife despite re-entering the building to retrieve clothes for his son. Further investigation revealed a significant quantity of jerry cans filled with petrol in the loft, and the distinct smell of an accelerant near Mariam Kamara’s body led them to suspect that the fire was intentionally set.

A post-mortem examination disclosed that Mariam Kamara had sustained one or more stab wounds to the neck and chest before her death. The absence of evidence of smoke inhalation confirmed that she was killed before the fire was ignited.

Investigators conducted a thorough search of the property, analysed key evidence, collected witness statements, and sought expert advice. A forensic scientist determined that the fire was likely started by igniting petrol, while a consultant plastic surgeon confirmed that Koroma’s burn wound, measuring approximately 8-9cm, could only have been caused by close contact with the fire. This contradicted Koroma’s claim that he was unable to access the room where the fire occurred to save his wife.

Forensic evidence also revealed Mariam’s blood on Koroma’s clothing, along with burn damage caused by a transient flame.

Detective Chief Inspector Wood expressed the Metropolitan Police’s commitment to reducing violence against women and acknowledged that Mariam Kamara’s killer has been brought to justice. He extended his condolences to her family and friends, particularly her son, who continues to receive support during this traumatic time.