Youth in court charged with murder of man, 24, in Whitechapel

A TEENAGER is appearing in court today charged with the murder of a homeless man who was found dying in the street in London’s East End. He is 19-year-old Abu Tahir, who has been charged with the murder of the man believed to be 24-year-old Sami Berjaoui who was found with head injuries in Whitechapel on Monday

By Mike Brooke

A TEENAGER is appearing in court charged with the murder of a homeless man who was found dying in the street in London's East End.

He is 19-year-old Abu Tahir, who has been charged with the murder of the man believed to be 24-year-old Sami Berjaoui who was found with head injuries at Old Montague Street in Whitechapel at 6.30am on Monday.

Tahir, from Romford Road in Forest Gate, appeared before Thames magistrates this-morning (Thurs).

Mr Berjaoui was taken to the nearby Royal London Hospital, but died half-an-hour later. A post-mortem gave cause of death as a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Three other teenagers in custody last night have been bailed to return to police on October 21, another 19-year-old, an 18-year-old and two 17-year-olds.

Detectives, meanwhile, have launched an appeal for witnesses. An incident room has opened under Det Chief Ins Simon Moring, who wants anyone who was in Old Montague Street between 6 and 6.30am on Monday, or anyone with information, to call 020-8345 4142, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555111.