Aspiring lawyer, 22, stabbed to death was a victim of ‘mistaken identity’, court hears

An aspiring lawyer, who was stabbed to death after being ‘set upon by a gang of six youths’, was was a victim of ‘mistaken identity’, a court heard.

Sven Badzak, 22, was stabbed in an attack ‘lasting no more than 20 seconds’ in February 2021, after shopping at Waitrose, in Kilburn, with his 16-year-old friend.

Rashid Gedel, 22, and Shiroh Ambersley, 22, along with four others, stabbed Mr Badzak four times while kicking and punching him, the Old Bailey heard.

Mr Badzak, who was from Maida Vale and the son of former Conservative Party activist Jasna Badzak, could not be saved despite the best efforts of passers-by, paramedics and police.

His friend, now 19, was stabbed in the back but managed to run into a shop. He was later treated for a collapsed lung. 

Gedel was identified by CCTV and the boasts he made on social media accounts after the attack.

He and Ambersley deny murdering Mr Badzak, who was privately educated at Wetherby and Portland Place schools before attending Roehampton University, and wounding his friend with intent.

Jurors heard one of the six attackers, Harvey Canavan, 19, of West Kilburn, admitted the manslaughter of Mr Badzak and unlawful wounding of his friend.

Lior Agbayan, also said to have been involved in the attack, fled abroad after the stabbing and his extradition to the UK is being sought. Two other suspects have not yet been identified by police.

Mr Badzak’s mother said her son had gone to a shop to get orange juice and then to the bagel shop when he was attacked.

Prosecutor Anthony Orchard KC told the court: ‘On Saturday 6th February 2021 at 17:37, Sven Badzak and his friend were walking west along Willesden Lane, in Kilburn.

‘As they walked, they were attacked by a group of six youths, in what appears to have been a gang style attack.

‘Both Sven Badzak and [his friend] were stabbed. Sven Badzak was pronounced life extinct at 18:28 that evening. Neither victim was a gang member or associate.

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‘It appears they were the unfortunate victims of mistaken identity.’

On the day of the attack, Gedel and Ambersley went into a Wenzel’s Bakery near Willesden Lane.

Mr Orchard said: ‘Gedel is captured on CCTV going into the shop, walking up the right of the two young people and apparently inspecting them, before leaving.

‘He then rejoins Ambersley, nothing at all was bought. We suggest Gedel and Ambersley were looking for a youth or youths for the group they were with to attack – scouting them out.’

Mr Badzak, who was once pictured with Boris Johnson, had been to Waitrose on Finchley Road about a mile away, and his friend was watching a Liverpool football game on his phone, when they were spotted by the group.

‘Gedel drew closer to them,’ said Mr Orchard.

‘Sven Badzak and his friend were effectively minding their own business. They were completely unaware of those behind them.’

The court heard that a bus CCTV camera recorded some of what happened next as Gedel and Ambersley caught up with Mr Badzak and his friend.

Mr Orchard added: ‘Badzak’s friend recalls three boys came up to them and said, “What are you on?”

‘One of the boys then stabbed Sven in the chest and his friend was stabbed to the back.’

Mr Badzak also tried to run away but fell. The attackers then caught him again – where the court heard he appeared to be kicked and punched. He was stabbed four times in total.

Gedel, of Ilford, east London, and Ambersley, of Wembley, northwest London, both deny murder, attempted murder and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm

The trial at the Old Bailey continues.