London, England – A young woman, Deka Omar, is set to be sentenced next month after being found guilty in the brutal murder of 58-year-old Susan Ioannou. The attack, described as “violent and brutal,” involved stamping and landing blows to the victim’s face.
Omar, who is 24 years old, was convicted of murder after a re-trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court. The body of Ms Ioannou was discovered in a residential property in Edmonton, a suburb in north London, on February 21, 2022.
According to the Metropolitan Police, investigations revealed that Omar had taken advantage of Ms Ioannou’s kindness to support her drug addiction. The motive behind the vicious attack, which included strangulation and multiple heavy blows to the victim’s face, remains unclear.
After the assault, Omar stole Ms Ioannou’s phone before leaving the scene. She later contacted several people, expressing concerns about Ms Ioannou’s well-being and suggesting that something might have happened to her.
Following the review of CCTV footage and witness reports, Omar was arrested on suspicion of murder and charged a year later. Detective Inspector Jim Barry emphasized the kindness and generosity of Susan Ioannou, highlighting how she had supported those around her despite having little herself.
Barry expressed gratitude towards Susan’s friends who assisted in the investigation to ensure that justice was served. He acknowledged that the guilty verdict would provide some comfort to Susan’s loved ones and hoped it would reassure the public as well.
The detective underscored the devastating impact of violence on the loved ones of victims and reiterated the commitment of law enforcement to pursue justice for victims and their families. Omar is scheduled to be sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on April 5, facing the consequences of her vicious actions.