Anguish as murder trial delayed a year by barristers’ strike
THE family of an aspiring lawyer who was stabbed to death were left outraged yesterday after his alleged killers’ trial was put back almost a year amid barrister strikes.
Sven Badzak, 22, was waiting outside a bakery when he was set upon by strangers and stabbed repeatedly in an apparent case of mistaken identity.
Yesterday his mother Jasna, a former Conservative Party activist, was said to be ‘distraught’ about the postponement.
She has already waited more than a year for justice since her son’s killing in Kilburn, north-west London, on February 6, 2021.
The trial of Rashid Gedel, 21, Shiroh Ambersley, 22, and Harvey
Canavan, 18, had been due to start last week but yesterday the judge put it back to next June.
Prosecutor Anthony Orchard, QC, told the Old Bailey: ‘The victims and their families appear to have been forgotten [amid the pay dispute]. They are distraught at the thought of having to wait yet longer for resolution and finality.
‘Potentially ten to 11 months. They have great feelings of frustration and outrage. They understand Covid and the delays, but enough is enough.’
In a previous hearing, Mr Orchard described how the victim – who was privately educated at Wetherby and Portland Place schools in London before attending Roehampton University – was targeted at random. He was waiting outside a bakery to get a bagel for his mother when he was set upon.
Mr Orchard said of Mr Badzak and his friend aged 16, who was also stabbed in the melee but survived: ‘Neither victim was a gang member or associate. They were victims of mistaken identity.’
His mother, who is a qualified
doctor, has previously called on the Prime Minister to help get justice, posting pictures online of him as a boy with Boris Johnson, George Osborne and David Cameron.
The trial is just the latest to be put back due to ongoing industrial action. Lawyers are demanding a minimum 25 per cent increase in legal aid rates, saying there has been an average decrease in earnings of 28 per cent since 2006 which has led to many barristers deserting the profession.
Last month the Criminal Bar Association announced that members had voted to strike with picket lines forming outside some of Britain’s most famous courts.
Yesterday the Old Bailey heard that in this particular case, the trial would have faced interruptions for weeks due to walkouts as well as pre-booked holidays.
Judge Neil Flewitt, QC: ‘It would not be fair for the defendants or the jury to start a trial knowing it would be interrupted in that way. I shall therefore adjourn the trial and refix for June 5, 2023.’
The defendants – all from London – deny murder, attempted murder and an alternative charge of wounding with intent.
The Criminal Bar Association estimates that hundreds of trials will be impacted by the action.
Its chairman Jo Sidhu QC said: ‘It is a tragedy for all concerned when trials such as this involving harrowing offences are adjourned at the last moment because of the unavailability of defence counsel.’
‘A tragedy for all concerned’