Met Police officer accused of murdering Chris Kaba in court - latest updates

Met Police officer released on bail

The Metropolitan Police officer who shot Chris Kaba has been released on bail after a hearing at the Old Bailey.

He answered “yes” when asked by the court clerk if he is NX121, and passed a piece of paper to court staff with his date of birth on it.

Recorder of London Mark Lucraft KC told the marksman that a plea and trial preparation hearing will be listed for December 1, with a possible trial date of September 9 next year.

A hearing will take place at the same court on Friday next week to discuss a legal order that bans the identification of the officer.

NX121 was released on bail on the conditions that he lives at a named address, surrenders his passport and does not apply for international travel documents.

Judge's remarks in full

District Judge Nina Tempia quickly dealt with the unnamed officer's case, making an anonymity order and forbidding any reporting on the officer's identity.

DJ Tempia told the officer: "I am sending your case to the Central Criminal Court. You will remain in custody. Thank you very much, if you would like to go with the officers."

Judge grants anonymity order banning identification of officer

District Judge Nina Tempia told the court: "I'm going to grant an order for anonymity and reporting restrictions at this stage. There will be a direction that nothing is to be reported to identify the defendant and that includes any description of the defendant."

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Kaba family says naming Met officer 'is in interests of open justice'

By Tom Pettifor

A woman sitting in the packed public gallery left court abruptly after the officer appeared in the dock. Another woman sitting with around a dozen of Mr Kaba's family and friends could be heard weeping during proceedings.

An order has been made banning the publication of anything that could identify the defendant, including any description of the officer.

The Kaba family said in a statement on Thursday: "On what we have been told until now, we can see no basis on which the officer in question should not be named, as part of the fair and accurate reporting of this case, which is in the interests of open justice."

Mr Kaba was shot through the windscreen of a car (MyLondon/BPM)

Met officer appears in court charged with murdering Chris Kaba

A Metropolitan Police officer charged with the murder of Chris Kaba has been remanded in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court ahead of a further appearance at the Old Bailey this afternoon.

Mr Kaba's parents and other relatives sat in the public gallery during proceedings.

CPS statement after officer charged

Rosemary Ainslie, from the Crown prosecution Service (CPS), said: "Following a thorough review of the evidence provided by the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct), the CPS has authorised a charge of murder against a Metropolitan Police officer following the death of Chris Kaba.

"Mr Kaba died on September 6 2022 after he was struck by a single bullet in Streatham Hill, south London. The CPS reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against the officer are active and that he has the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

The CPS and IOPC have not publicly named the officer, as would be usual when an adult is charged with murder, because it is understood the officer intends to make an application for anonymity at court.

How many police officers have been charged with murder?

It is rare for police officers to be charged with murder or manslaughter. According to the charity Inquest, since 1990 there have been 1,869 deaths in or following police custody in England and Wales.

Of those, there have been 12 cases where an officer has been charged with murder or manslaughter. There has only been one conviction of a police officer in that time - West Mercia Police Constable Benjamin Monk, who was jailed in 2021 for the manslaughter of former footballer Dalian Atkinson.

Mr Atkinson was tasered to the ground and kicked in the head in 2016.

A protester holds up a sign during the Justice for Chris Kaba protest (James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock)

Met Police statement in full

In a statement released yesterday, the force said: "The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised a charge of murder for a Met firearms officer in relation to the fatal shooting of Chris Kaba in September 2022.

"The officer will attend Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 21 September. The charging decision was made by the CPS following a referral from the Independent Office for Police Conduct."

Met Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Millichap added: "We have fully supported the IOPC investigation as it has worked to establish the facts. Today's announcement is a significant and serious development.

"We must now allow the court process to run its course so it would not be appropriate for me to say more at this stage. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this case."

Chris Kaba's parents arrive at court

Chris Kaba's parents, Prosper and Helen, have arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court with other family members ahead of the hearing.

In a joint statement yesterday, the 24-year-old's loved ones said: "Chris was so very loved by our family and all his friends. He had a bright future ahead of him, but his life was cut short.

"Our family and our wider community must see justice for Chris. Now we await the trial of the firearms officer without delay and hope and pray that justice will be served."

Prosper and Helen Kaba arriving at court today (Tayfun Salci/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock)