Police dog Monty finds evidence that helps convict five men involved in the murder of a man in Barnet

A police search dog helped provide vital evidence to secure convictions for five men involved in the murder of a man in Barnet.

Dog handler PC Neil Dobson and a police dog called Monty searched a flat off High Road, N20, which was the scene of the murder of 30-year-old Olsi Kuka.

Olsi had been stabbed multiple times by a group of men who were searching for drugs and money they believed was in his property.

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

During a trial at the Old Bailey, a jury heard the group all travelled to Olsi's home address shortly before 03:00hrs on 11 May 2022.

They were split into two Mercedes cars that parked outside before the group forced entry into the flat and attacked Olsi, stabbing him numerous times.

They then ransacked his flat, searching for drugs and money they believed Olsi had in his property.

After the men left the flat, police and paramedics were called. Despite the efforts of emergency services, Olsi sadly died a short time later.

A post mortem examination concluded that the stab wounds had been caused by ‘at least’ two different knives. There were also four metal ball-bearings found in his scalp consistent with being shot by an air weapon.

A murder investigation, led by homicide detectives from the Met's Specialist Crime Command, used CCTV and mobile phone analysis to identify the five men involved in the attack.

Detectives discovered that one of the cars had travelled to the address four days before on a reconnaissance trip.

After a five-week trial at the Old Bailey that concluded on Thursday, 9 May, [B] Daige Ramsey, 25 (30.11.98) of Winchester Road, E4 and [D] Santana Thompson, 21 (04.02.03), of Aldriche Way, Waltham Forest, were convicted of the manslaughter of Olsi Kuka.

[E] Ozan Seran 28 (05.06.1995), of no fixed address pleaded guilty to manslaughter on 2 April, the first day of the trial.

[A] Bulent Bakir, 27 (05.01.97) of Old Road, Enfield, was convicted of conspiracy to rob.

[C] Reuben Bernard, 19, (22.03.05) of Wootton, Northampton, was convicted of murder after a trial in June 2023.

They will be sentenced at the Old Bailey at a later date to be confirmed.

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

"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."