Murder in Fentiman Road

From the Police Press Bureau

Police have launched a murder investigation following the death of a man in Lambeth.

Police were alerted to a possible injured man at an address in Kennington at approximately 05:30hrs on Tuesday (correct), 1 February.

Following enquiries officers attended an address in Fentiman Road, SW8 and found the body of a man, believed aged in his thirties, suffering head injuries. London Ambulance Service also attended but the man was pronounced the man dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination yesterday, Wednesday 2 February, at Greenwich Mortuary gave the cause of death as head injuries.

Whilst officers believe they know who the deceased is, they await next of kin to be informed and for formal identification to take place.

An incident room has opened at Belgravia under Detective Chief Inspector Steven Lawrence from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command.

Any witnesses or anyone with any information are asked to call the incident room on 020 7321 7228 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

+ Four men [A - aged 41, B - aged 37, C - aged 30, D - aged 42] have been arrested in connection with the death. 'A', 'B' and 'D' have all been released with no further action. 'C' Remains in custody at a south London police station.

Update (3 Feb):

[C] Gary Speight - aged 30 (16.10.80) - of Vauxhall Bridge Road, SW1 was today (3 February) charged with the murder of 36-year-old Anthony John Bates.

Speight will appear in custody at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court tomorrow (4 February).

Update (5 Feb):

Detectives investigating the murder of 36-year-old Anthony John Bates in Kennington this week have arrested two more people in connection with the death.

A 43-year-old man [E] and a 28-year-old woman [F] were arrested in central London yesterday lunchtime, Friday 4 February and are currently in custody at separate central London police stations.

One man has so far been charged with Anthony's murder.

Gary Speight [C], 30 (16.10.80) of Vauxhall Bridge Road, SW1 appeared in custody at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday 4 February and was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on Monday 7 February.

Update (7 Feb)

Two people [a man 43 yrs and a woman 28 yrs] arrested on 4 February in connection with the murder of Anthony Bates have been bailed to return to separate London police stations on a date in late April pending further enquiries