Met Police officer accused of Chris Kaba murder is named for the first time

The police officer accused of Chris Kaba’s murder had been referred to as NX121 during earlier legal proceedings
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The Metropolitan Police marksman who shot dead Chris Kaba has been named for the first time, as he pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder.

Martyn Blake, 40, is set to go on trial this autumn over the fatal shooting of Mr Kaba during an armed police car stop in Streatham in September 2022.

His identity has been a closely-guarded secret until today, being referred to as NX121 when first charged and throughout a series of pre-trial court hearings.

But the reporting restriction was lifted today, after Judge Mark Lucraft KC, the Recorder of London, decided that Blake should be identified ahead of his murder trial.

Blake appeared in the dock at the Old Bailey on Friday for a plea hearing and pleaded not guilty.

He spoke only to say his name, date of birth, and to enter the not guilty plea.

Members of Mr Kaba’s family were present in court at the Old Bailey to see Blake enter the dock and enter his plea.

A reporting restriction remains in place on images of Blake, as well as the details of his home address.

Mr Kaba, 24, had driven into Kirkstall Gardens in Streatham Hill on September5, 2022, and collided with a marked police car in the moments before he was shot dead.

Blake was one of the armed officers on the scene, and fired one shot which struck Mr Kaba in the head.

The Met officer was charged by the Crown Prosecution Service with murder last September, following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Judge Lucraft decided last October that Blake should be identified before a three-week murder trial which is expected to start on October 2.

He said he had reviewed "intelligence material" when assessing the risk to the officer's life and the safety of his family.

"In the immediate aftermath of the shooting incident in September 2022, there was significant information about a threat", he said.

"In addition, the witness statements that have been provided highlight fears of risks then, and going forward and the observations in those statements cannot be ignored.

"In my judgement, whilst there may be risks to NX121 in lifting parts of the anonymity order, those risks are ones that in my judgment can be addressed in various ways so as to seek to ameliorate or mitigate them."

The judge agreed to a delay in naming the officer so that “mitigation measures” could be taken for the safety of the officer and his family.

Metropolitan Police Federation acting chair Rick Prior said he and colleagues “are hugely shocked, saddened and concerned over the decision to name the firearms officer involved in this incident”.

He added: "Being a firearms officer in London is one of the world’s toughest jobs. Officers, who volunteer for the role, know the responsibility and accountability that comes with it. It is a job like no other and they need fairness when it comes to scrutiny.

“As a Federation, we can reassure our members that we continue to support the officer and his family at this difficult time; and will work to mitigate any risks this decision from the courts might bring.”

Deborah Coles, Director of the charity INQUEST which has been supporting the Kaba family, said: “In any other murder trial, the accused would be publicly named. This case is no different. We welcome today’s decision.”

Judge Lucraft made a series of directions for the preparation of the trial at Friday’s hearing.

Blake remains on bail until his trial, which is due to be overseen by Mr Justice Goss.

A further hearing is expected to take place in July.

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