1 day Ago By Nelson Espinal
Captured on camera in a chilling moment, killer Rebecca Moore feigned innocence, pretending to be 'Lauren Smith' when first approached by the police regarding the machete murder of 24-year-old Sacad Ali. Her ruse failed as officers recognized her from an image, and she was then recorded on body-cam weeping "no, no, no" while being placed in handcuffs. In New York City, a Vogue model was arrested in connection to a murder.
During a 16-day hearing at Sheffield Crown Court, Moore, aged 25, was condemned for the murder of Sacad on November 11. Her two cohorts, Barney Griffin, 18, and Jack Douglas, 17, who intensely stabbed Sacad with knives, confessed to murder and carrying a bladed weapon. Moore and Douglas were sentenced today to serve minimum stretches of 15 years in prison, whereas Griffin received a sentence to spend at least 16 years behind bars.
On March 9 this year, Sacad had been unwinding with video games at a buddy's apartment in Sheffield's Netherthorpe zone, South York. However, after receiving a call from Moore from an unlisted number shortly past 4 am, convincing him to step outside and rendezvous at Ponderosa Park, the young man fell into a trap. Emerging from the shadows, Griffin and Douglas, who were 17 and 16 at that time, ambushed and viciously murdered Sacad with machetes.
Sacad pleaded for mercy as his assailants mercilessly beat him before they fled, leaving him to die from his injuries. Despite paramedics' efforts, Sacad passed away in Ponderosa Park just after 5 am, leading to a murder probe. Detective Chief Inspector Ben Wood of South Yorkshire Police detailed the swift police response: "After our officers arrived in Ponderosa Park, they immediately secured a large scene in order to preserve any possible pieces of evidence before they began gathering witness statements from as many people as possible who were in the area at the time.
They provided physical descriptions of the attackers, including details of the clothes they were wearing, with these matching clothing we seized from Griffin's home following his arrest." Wood highlighted the role of forensics and CCTV in the investigation: "Forensics work was also pivotal as blood recovered from near Oxford Street matched that of Griffin, with CCTV also proving crucial as this allowed us to track the movements of those involved and implicated Moore, Griffin, and Douglas as the people involved in Sacad's murder." He also noted that Moore attempted to deceive police about her identity and age when confronted before her arrest.
The tense exchange was captured on the officer's body-worn camera as he awaited a photo of Moore to confirm her identity. As law enforcement tightened the noose around Griffin and Douglas, they surrendered to police custody on the morning of March 12. Today, a judge removed the restrictions concealing Douglas's identity upon sentencing.
Post-trial, Sacad's devastated family expressed their sorrow, stating: "Sacad was a loving son and brother who was loved by all his family. He was the heart of our family and was always happy and smiling. All those who knew Sacad, knew how positive and happy he was.
It feels like all the light out of our lives has been taken." They continued: "Our lives have been completely broken by what has happened, and we will never be able to forget. We would like to thank everyone who helped Sacad and who came forward to assist the police.
We would also like to thank DCI Ben Wood, DC Lisa Glover, DC Karen Edge and all the officers who have been involved in the investigation." DCI Ben Wood condemned Moore for her lack of remorse regarding her role in the murder, saying: "I know that today's sentencing won't bring Sacad back but I hope this gives his family, friends, loved ones and everybody who knew him some sort of closure as they try to rebuild their lives and recover from the grief inflicted upon them." "The two teenagers murdered Sacad in a barbaric way, with Moore also murdering him by duping him into meeting and luring him to the spot where he would be brutally attacked.
Rather than admit her guilt, Moore then made Sacad's loved ones relive the events of the day he died by making them endure a trial in court, after which she was found guilty of murder." "A lot of exemplary detective and policing work went into this murder investigation and today's result is testament to everyone's hard work on this tragic case. Knife crime takes too many young people's lives, and it is heartbreaking that Sacad's life was ended in this manner.
".
