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A 29-year-old man of Bangladeshi origin from East London, Hamza Kamali, has been convicted of the brutal murder of 38-year-old Saley Beya. The fatal stabbing occurred outside a Stratford nightclub in August of last year, and Kamali now faces a life sentence for his violent act.
The Old Bailey delivered its verdict on Tuesday, July 22, finding Kamali guilty of murder. The tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of Saturday, August 10, 2024, on Romford Road. Saley Beya and his friends had been enjoying an evening in Stratford before deciding to continue their night at a nightclub, arriving around 2:30 AM.
Approximately an hour after their arrival, an altercation involving one of Saley's friends and a group known to Kamali escalated outside the venue. Hamza Kamali arrived shortly after the initial dispute. Following a brief interaction with Saley, Kamali brandished a knife and stabbed Saley in the leg.
Despite his severe injury, Saley attempted to flee, but Kamali relentlessly pursued him, kicking out as he tried to escape. Kamali eventually abandoned the chase and returned to Romford Road, while Saley, tragically, collapsed in the street due to his wound.
Emergency services quickly arrived, attempting to control the severe bleeding. However, Saley went into cardiac arrest en route to the hospital. He remained in a critical condition for nearly three weeks before succumbing to his injuries on August 29, 2024.
Detective Superintendent Kelly Allen of Specialist Crime North underscored the gravity of the crime: “Saley’s family and loved ones have endured incredible pain and suffering over this past year, and I am thinking of them today as they process this outcome. Kamali’s actions that night were violent and deliberate. He went out armed with a knife – clearly intent on causing harm. We will never know what prompted his interaction with Saley, but it is clear he is a very dangerous individual with little regard for human life, and I’m pleased the jury were able to recognise the threat he poses to the public.”
The investigation revealed that immediately after the stabbing, Kamali returned home. About 30 minutes later, he was seen leaving his property in different clothes and carrying a plastic bag, which he then discarded. This bag, potentially containing the murder weapon or other crucial evidence, was never recovered by police.
Upon Kamali's arrest on August 16, 2024, officers searched his home and found a pair of bloodstained trainers, later confirmed to be his. Significantly, Kamali also had a noticeable hand injury, which CCTV footage showed him tending to with a tissue immediately after the stabbing. Blood from this injury was found at the crime scene, suggesting he inadvertently injured himself with his own knife during the attack on Saley.
Kamali was found guilty of both murder and possession of an offensive weapon. He is scheduled to be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Thursday, July 24, 2025, where he is expected to receive a life sentence.
In connection with the same incident, Abdi Ulusow, 28, and Edson Bernardo, 26, appeared at the Old Bailey on July 3, 2025, where they pleaded guilty to affray and possession of an offensive weapon. Both will also be sentenced at the same court on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
