Turkish radio DJ Koray Alpergin was bludgeoned to death after being abducted outside his Southgate home last year

Mehme Koray Alpergin — Victim Koray Alpergin

Four men have been sentenced to a combined 46 years in jail for their part in an abduction and killing that police likened to a “gangster movie”.

Turkish radio DJ Koray Alpergin, aged 43, was kidnapped from outside his home in Ebony Crescent, Southgate, on 13th October 2022, when a group of men bundled both him and girlfriend Gozde Dalbudak, 34, into the back of a white van after they arrived home.

Koray was 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 Koray would not have survived his injuries long after they were inflicted.

The motive for kidnapping Koray was said to be connected to money and drugs. After killing him, his captors dumped his body at Oakwood Hill Industrial Estate in Loughton, where it was discovered on 15th October. Meanwhile, Gozde was left locked in a toilet for two days before being freed.

Clockwise from top left; Steffan Gordon, Samuel Owusu-Opoku, Tejean Kennedy, Ali Kavak

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.

At a hearing today (Tuesday 12th) Kavak was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment, Kennedy to 18 years, Gordon to eight years, and Owusu-Opoku to seven years.

Yigit Hurman, aged 18 of Audley Close, Muswell Hill, was also charged with perverting the course of justice and pleaded guilty to this. He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.

Detective chief inspector Matt 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.

“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’m pleased that these extremely violent and dangerous men will be in prison for a long time.”

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