Killer identified by designer bag jailed for life

A drug dealer has been jailed for life for the "callous and cowardly" killing of a rival after police identified him by his designer Louis Vuitton bag.

Dualla Abdi, 21, disposed of his clothes but not the valuable bag after he fatally stabbed Tyreece Scott in Hounslow, west London, in January last year.

Abdi, from Acton, was found guilty of murder and having a blade, and was jailed for life with a minimum term of 22 years.

His accomplice and getaway driver Ben Laing, 24, from Feltham, was also found guilty of murder and jailed for life with a minimum term of 22 years.

At their Old Bailey sentencing, members of Tyreece Scott's family spoke of the young man they knew as "kind, gentle and loyal", with "big hopes and dreams".

His mother Lynette Phillip said she struggled to understand how and why her son was attacked in such an "evil, cold and callous" way.

She told the court: "Tyreece was 6ft 3in and despite his size he was the gentlest person I know. He was loving, kind, loyal and funny, and he had the most amazing cheeky smile.

"Ty was only 24 years old and he had his whole life ahead of him. He had so many dreams and aspirations."

Pointing to a photograph of his coffin, she said: "This picture is the outcome of what carrying a knife leads to and the daily consequences of knife crime.

"I hope that one day no other person will have to feel the way I do and have to bury their child before their time because of callous and cowardly people like Dualla Abdi and Ben Laing."

The court heard how Abdi and Laing had driven up beside the victim and got out.

Abdi delivered the fatal knife-wound but Laing was standing beside him, jurors were told.

Both men then got back in their car and Laing drove off, leaving Mr Scott bleeding to death on the residential street.

The pair fled to Morocco, only to be arrested at Stansted Airport days later upon their return to the UK.

Prosecution barrister Zoe Johnson KC told jurors the background to the murder was linked to drug dealing and Mr Scott had been operating on rival territory.

"Drug dealing is an ugly, competitive business in which dealers protect their 'turf' at any cost. It was Tyreece Scott's exposure to that world which led to his murder."

Two other people in their twenties were convicted and sentenced for perverting the course of justice in connection with the case.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]