London, England – A man responsible for a brutal homophobic attack has been sentenced to jail after being captured by Metropolitan Police officers following a nationwide search. Alex Ogden, 28, was found guilty of grievous bodily harm and received his sentencing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday, 23 April after admitting to the charge.
Ogden’s violent assault took place in Islington on Wednesday, 18 October 2023, where he attacked a man in his 50s with a knife while hurling homophobic slurs. The victim suffered multiple facial cuts and a broken nose as a result of the attack. After the incident, Ogden quickly fled the scene, sparking a thorough investigation led by the Central North Public Protection Team.
A nationwide manhunt was initiated on 1 November, with forensic evidence linking Ogden to the crime scene. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies across the country, Ogden was apprehended in Southwark on 2 November. Following his arrest, detectives worked diligently to build a case against Ogden, highlighting his extensive criminal history consisting of 39 previous convictions primarily in the north of England.
During his trial, Ogden was sentenced to 32 months in prison and issued a five-year restraining order to protect the victim upon his release. Detective Chief Inspector Paul Ridley commended the diligent work of the officers involved in securing a conviction against Ogden, emphasizing the seriousness of the homophobic nature of the attack. He urged other potential victims of hate crimes to come forward, underscoring the Metropolitan Police’s steadfast commitment to addressing hate crimes within the LGBTQ+ community.
The sentencing of Alex Ogden serves as a testament to the relentless efforts of law enforcement in combatting acts of hate and violence, ensuring that justice is served for all victims. It also highlights the importance of community members reporting incidents of hate crimes to authorities, allowing for the prosecution of individuals who seek to cause harm based on prejudice.