A man has been charged with murder following a fatal stabbing in Wimbledon town centre at the weekend.
Amar Zafar, 35, of Cambridge Grove Road, Kingston, appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court yesterday and was charged with murder and possession of a bladed article. He has been remanded in custody and is next due to appear at the Old Bailey on Wednesday 25 February.
The victim has been named as Luke Brereton, 41, from Mitcham. He died at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics, including London’s Air Ambulance trauma team, who were called to The Broadway at 12.37am on Sunday 22 February.
The Metropolitan Police say they are not seeking anyone else in connection with the killing, which they are treating as an isolated incident.
Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our thoughts are with the victim’s family. This is a shocking act of violence in the heart of a busy town, and we understand the impact this will have on the local community. While we have made an arrest, we still need anyone who witnessed the incident or has information to come forward. No detail is too small.”
The stabbing is a reminder that knife crime in London remains a serious threat in south-west London. Wimbledon is the nearest major town centre to Putney, and fatal stabbings have hit closer to home too, with a teenager killed in broad daylight in Wandsworth last October.
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 244/22FEB. To remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
