Firearms officer not guilty of murder

A police officer has been cleared of murdering a man he shot in the head in south London two years ago.

Martyn Blake, 40, shot Chris Kaba, who was unarmed, during a police vehicle stop in Streatham, south London, in September 2022.

The officer denied intending to kill the 24-year-old.

As the jury’s decision was read out the defendant took a deep breath, but otherwise did not react to the not guilty verdict.

During the trial at the Old Bailey, the court heard Mr Kaba was due to be a father.

He died from a single gunshot wound, which was fired through the windscreen of an Audi Q8.

Mr Justice Goss thanked the jury of nine men and three women following the verdict on Monday, saying they displayed diligence and care during the trial.