Man sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering woman in Croydon

A man has been jailed for life for the murder of a woman following an investigation by Met detectives.

On Wednesday, 1 April, a jury at Inner London Crown Court found Simon Ghebremedhin, 34 (01.01.1992), of Streatham High Road, SW16, guilty of the murder of 26-year-old Marjama Osman in Croydon.

On Tuesday, 14 April he was sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 19 years.

Ghebremedhin stabbed Marjama inside her own home on Saturday, 31 May 2025.

Detective Inspector Aytac Necati, who led the Met’s investigation, said: “Our thoughts today are with Marjama’s family and friends. The evidence presented at trial was graphic and highly distressing, which meant Marjama’s loved ones were subjected to further torment and anguish.

“Ghebremedhin is a particularly devious killer, who went to great lengths to deceive police and the court. Thankfully, diligent detective work has exposed him as a liar.

“The Met is committed to protecting the public from harm – with violence against women and girls a particular focus of our New Met for London strategy. The successful prosecution in this case illustrates this commitment.

“We’ll continue to do everything in our power to take the most dangerous and prolific perpetrators off our streets.”

On the morning of Saturday, 31 May 2025, officers were called to Marjama’s flat in Frith Road, Croydon, following reports of a stabbing.

A passer-by had found the victim unconscious outside the property. Ghebremedhin was also present, with a knife injury to his abdomen.

Police attended with the London Ambulance Service. Ghebremedhin was taken to hospital, and was subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder.

Marjama and Ghebremedhin were known to each other. On the day of the murder, Ghebremedhin attended the victim’s flat. There was a dispute between the two, and CCTV footage obtained by investigators from the location showed the defendant lashing out violently, smashing his own phone and banging loudly on the door.

Marjama let him into the property, where he subsequently stabbed her. She was able to escape the flat, before collapsing outside.

In hospital and at interview, Ghebremedhin told officers he had acted in self-defence after Marjama attacked him with a knife.

However, after reviewing CCTV footage of the incident, investigators established that he had not shown any signs of injury in the immediate aftermath of the stabbing. After following Marjama out of the property, Ghebremedhin went back inside, where it is believed he injured himself in a bid to claim self-defence.

To test this hypothesis, officers called in specialists, who determined that the abdomen wound was more likely to have been self-inflicted. This vital evidence was produced in court.