Police dog Monty praised for finding hidden cash that helped convict killers in Barnet murder case

10 May 2024, 13:13 | Updated: 10 May 2024, 15:23

A police dog named Monty found vital evidence that helped convict five people involved in a man's murder.

Dog handler PC Neil Dobson was called to a flat in Barnet, north London, in May 2022.

A 30-year-old man, Olsi Kula, had been stabbed multiple times by men searching for drugs and money they believed were in the property.

Monty managed to find £8,000 in cash hidden in the headboard of a bed that the group had not found, said Met Police.

A trial at the Old Bailey, which ended on Thursday, was told the men had forced their way in just before 3am and stabbed Mr Kula numerous times.

He later died, and was also found with ball bearings in his scalp after being shot with an air weapon.

The gang ransacked the flat as they looked for money and drugs.

The Met's specialist crime command used CCTV and mobile phone analysis to eventually identify the five men involved.

"The violence used in this attack was calculated, vicious and unrelenting," said Detective Chief Inspector Neil Rawlinson.

"The five men had planned to rob Olsi and were prepared to use any force necessary in order to get what they wanted.

"We are thankful for the work of our police dog Monty, who was able to find vital evidence that helped secure a successful conviction."

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Daige Ramsey, 25, and Santana Thompson, 21, were convicted of manslaughter this week. Ozan Seran, 28, pleaded guilty to the same charge.

Bulent Bakir, 27, was convicted of conspiracy to rob.

Reuben Bernard, 19, was convicted of murder after an earlier trial in June 2023.

They will be sentenced at a later date.

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