Koray Alpergin was bludgeoned to death at a disused restaurant after being kidnapped in October 2022

Clockwise from top left; Steffan Gordon, Samuel Owusu-Opoku, Tejean Kennedy, Ali Kavak and (centre) victim Koray Alpergin

Two men have been convicted of killing an Enfield man at a disused restaurant in a crime police likened to “something you see in a gangster movie”.

Koray Alpergin, 43, was initially treated as a missing person when police were contacted on 14th October 2022 after his friend became concerned for his welfare. But the next day, Koray’s body was found near to Oakwood Hill Industrial Estate in Loughton and homicide detectives began an investigation.

Their enquiries resulted in the identification of a number of men involved in the kidnap of Koray from outside his home address in Enfield on 13th October. The group of men had bundled Koray into the back of a white van after he arrived home in his car.

Koray was then taken to a disused restaurant in Tottenham where he was repeatedly physically assaulted, resulting in 94 separate injuries to his body including 14 fractured ribs and a blow to the head, which caused brain damage. The pathologist who analysed his body estimated that he Koray would not have survived his injuries long after they were inflicted.

After killing him, the men then moved his body to a trading estate in Tottenham, before moving it again to Loughton.

Detective chief inspector Matt Webb, the lead investigator, said the case was one of the most complex his team had dealt with.

Ali Kavak, aged 26 of De Quincey Road in Tottenham, was found guilty of manslaughter, kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice. Tejean Kennedy, aged 33 of Cricklewood Broadway, was found guilty of manslaughter, kidnap and false imprisonment. Steffan Gordon, aged 34 of Dehavilland Close in Northolt, pleaded guilty to kidnap and was found guilty of false imprisonment. Samuel Owusu-Opoku, aged 35 of Dunbar Road in Wood Green, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and was found guilty of kidnap.

All four will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on 12th December.

DCI Webb said: “The circumstances of Koray’s death were like something you see in a gangster movie. First he was kidnapped by a group of men in a highly organised operation that involved placing a tracker on his car. He was then taken to a disused restaurant where he was subjected to a horrific attack.

“The individuals responsible for his death were careful to cover their tracks by cleaning the restaurant and burning out cars used to move Koray’s body.

“However, we cracked this case through painstaking and lengthy analysis of CCTV that demonstrated the group’s collective activity and presence at key locations. We also presented detailed mobile phone records to the jury showing how they were in contact before, during and after Koray was kidnapped.

“I am pleased that these extremely violent and dangerous men have been convicted and will now be in prison for a long period of time. This should send a message to those involved in organised crime and serious violence, we will leave no stone unturned and are determined to bring them to justice.”

Anyone who knows the identity of anyone else involved or their whereabouts is asked to contact police by calling 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A 17-year-old boy was also charged with perverting the course of justice and pleaded guilty to this. Two other men have been charged as part of the investigation and will stand trial at a later date.

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