Norwich: Rose Lane Murder Investigation

17 May 2012, 15:18 | Updated: 17 May 2012, 15:21

Two men have today pleaded guilty in relation to their involvement in the murder of Honorato Cristavao in Norwich in February 2011.

22-year-old Ashley Brown Garraway from Oxford Road in London pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit GBH and 40 year old Neil Whitby from Borrowdale Drive in Norwich pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap at Norwich Crown Court.

They have been remanded in custody and will return to Norwich Corwn Court to be sentenced on Monday 28th May.

In March this year Spencer Yiadom, aged 22 and of Saville Road in London pleaded guilty to the murder partway through his trial and must serve a minimum of 24 years in prison. 22-year-old Anton St Paul of Keogh Road in London was jailed for a minimum of 23 years in prison after being convicted of murder in the same trial.

35 year old Lucy Browne from Borrowdale Drive in Norwich will be sentenced on a date to be fixed for manslaughter. She pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing having agreed to give evidence against her co-accused.

The death of Honorato Cristavao, from Parmentergate Court in Norwich, was the result of a dispute between two London drugs gangs known as the JJ group and the GBen Group, a number of members of which were targeted by Norfolk Constabulary and have subsequently been brought before the courts.

Honorato, also known as 'Alby', was seriously assaulted in an attack at the Rose Lane car park on 10th February 2011, and a murder enquiry was launched when he died of his head injuries a few days later on 14 February.

The two defendants in this second trial were both members of the 'G Ben' group while Honorato's long term partner dealt drugs from her flat on behalf of the 'JJ' group.

Detective Chief Inspector Jes Fry from the Major Investigation Team said:  "The guilty pleas of these two additional individuals is a welcome result. It has been a long, complicated investigation for all the officers involved in the enquiry.

Both of the defendants had been identified before the previous trial, but it was the evidence of Browne, who is the partner of Whitby, which was the deciding factor which allowed us to bring charges.

In terms of reassurance to the public, I'd reiterate what I said when the previous convictions were secured. Members of both these London based drug dealing groups were subject to a policing operation targeting their drug supply and members of both groups have been convicted for drug offences. 

I'd also remind the public that thiswas an isolated and extremely rare incident in terms of this level of violence being used in Norwich and across the county."