Five Convicted of Murdering Greek Tourist Antonis Antoniadis During London Robbery

Murder Conviction for Five Men in Greek Tourist’s Death

Jeremy Britton – BBC News, Old Bailey

Five individuals have been found guilty of the murder of Antonis Antoniadis, a 26-year-old Greek tourist who was fatally stabbed during an attempted robbery in London last July. The victim was followed from a West End nightclub, where he had been enjoying his holiday with friends, before being attacked.

During the proceedings at the Old Bailey, the prosecution outlined how Mr. Antoniadis was specifically targeted due to his designer accessories—a Lacoste bag and a Versace watch valued at approximately £1,300.

The Incident

On the morning of July 7, 2024, Mr. Antoniadis and his companions exited a club located at 32 Portland Place, near Oxford Circus, around 8:00 AM BST. Unbeknownst to them, a group of five men had been waiting outside in a stolen vehicle, seeking a target for theft.

“The victims were completely unaware that they were being followed,” stated prosecutor William Emlyn Jones KC. “The robbers identified Antonis as a prime target once they saw him leave the venue.”

Details of the Attack

After booking an Uber to return to their accommodation in New Cross, the assailants followed the vehicle for over thirty minutes. Upon arrival, and while trying to access their home, Mr. Antoniadis was confronted by the attackers, who were clad in hoods and balaclavas. One of his friends was reportedly struggling to find the keys when the confrontation occurred.

In a show of courage, Mr. Antoniadis resisted, even managing to strike one of the attackers with a brandy bottle he had in hand from the club. Unfortunately, his bravery was to be in vain as he was soon surrounded, beaten, and stabbed multiple times, ultimately succumbing to his injuries two weeks later in a hospital.

Arrests and Trial

The defendants—Sofian Alliche (20), his younger brother Amin Alliche (18), along with Shian Johnson (26), Joshua McCorquodale (20), and Alfie Hipple (18)—were all convicted of murder and conspiracy to commit robbery. The trial revealed that there were numerous mobile phone videos recovered by police, which showed the Alliche brothers in the same car on multiple occasions around the time of the incident.

Despite various claims of innocence, including assertions that not all defendants exited the vehicle during the attack, the jury ultimately found all guilty.

Community Reaction and Next Steps

Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn from the Metropolitan Police emphasized the difficulty of the case, citing a lack of CCTV footage and the dynamic movements of the vehicle involved. “This was a particularly challenging and complex case,” she remarked, highlighting the effort put forth by law enforcement to achieve justice for Mr. Antoniadis’s loved ones.

Sentencing has been scheduled for October 3, leaving many in the community reflecting on the tragic loss of a young life and the violent circumstances that led to it.

Individuals Involved in the Case