Mark Carroll

DAUGHTERS of a man stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack in a public park say they have “some sense of closure” after the killer was convicted of murder.

Rasheed Abdul Rahman, 19, from east London, was found guilty at Wood Green Crown Court of the 2024 murder of Mark Carroll, 55, in St Martin’s Gardens in Camden Town.

The court heard that the attack was sudden and unprovoked and the teenager, who was not known to Mr Carroll, approached and stabbed him in the gardens, causing fatal injuries.

The New Journal reported on the death of the 55-year-old, known to his friends as “Mogi” and remembered for his love of martial arts, old reggae and ska music, playing chess and writing poetry.

In a statement read outside court, Mark Carroll’s daughters, Ayisha and Danielle, said: “We are relieved that justice has been delivered for our family. While nothing can ever bring our dad back, we are grateful to finally have some sense of closure after losing him in such a horrific way.”

Mr Carroll was from Birmingham but moved to Camden Town when he was in his early 20s to take over his dad’s flat in Albany Street after his father died. Many of his friends met him at the now-closed Spectrum centre in Parkway, Camden Town.

At the time of his death, one of his pals Tom Reidy, 87, told the New Journal: “I’ve been coming to this park for 60 years. Mark used to put ‘get well soon’ cards in the door for me when I was sick. He was a nice guy. He was always chasing the pigeons because they made a nuisance up on the balcony where he lives. Everyone knew him because he was a bit of a character.”

Police were called to St Martin’s Gardens on 10 April 2024. They found Mr Carroll with a stab wound. He died in hospital despite the efforts of medical staff and emergency responders, the Met said.

Following the stabbing, Mr Rahman left the scene but was quickly located by officers nearby and arrested on suspicion of murder.

He was also found guilty of three other counts: having an article with a blade or point, threatening another with an offensive weapon and robbery.

The Met said his conviction followed a fast paced investigation of CCTV, forensic analysis and witness accounts from members of the public who were in the area at the time.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Clarke, who led the investigation, said: “Our thoughts remain with Mark’s family and friends. Mark, who was local to Camden, lost his life in tragic circumstances – though no outcome will ever be enough, we hope today’s conviction offers his loved ones some closure.

“I would like to thank the members of the public who came forward and the witnesses who supported this investigation. Their evidence has been vital in securing today’s guilty verdict.”

Mr Rahman will be sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court on a date to be confirmed.