Police Hunt Abdel Derdour After Adam Henry, 15, Stabbed Dead in Islington

Key Points

• A 15-year-old boy named Adam Henry was fatally stabbed on 9 December in Westbourne Road, Islington, north London, and died in hospital.
• Metropolitan Police are seeking 22-year-old Abdel Derdour, pictured running from the scene towards Caledonian Road; he is described as 5ft 8in (172cm), mixed heritage, slim build, in his 20s, with moustache and facial hair, using multiple aliases.
• Tsidi Winion, 20, from Camden, has been charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon; his trial is scheduled for 6 August 2026.
• Police urge witnesses who saw or spoke to Derdour, especially in Holborn and surrounding areas, to come forward, offering anonymous reporting via Crimestoppers.
• Ch Supt Jason Stewart, Islington policing lead, described the family’s “unthinkable loss” and emphasised that even small details could lead to justice.

Who Was Adam Henry and What Happened on 9 December?

Adam Henry, a 15-year-old boy, was found with serious injuries on Westbourne Road in Islington at around 4pm on 9 December. Emergency services rushed him to hospital, but he tragically passed away shortly afterwards. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the incident as a fatal stabbing, prompting a murder investigation.

Details of the event were first detailed in reports from Sky News, where police outlined the timeline: Adam was discovered by responders following reports of a disturbance. As per the official Metropolitan Police statement, quoted across outlets like Evening Standard,

“Adam Henry, 15, was found seriously injured… He later died in hospital.”

No further specifics on the precise circumstances leading to the altercation have been released, pending ongoing inquiries.

Who Is Abdel Derdour and Why Are Police Seeking Him?

Abdel Derdour, aged 22, is the man police wish to speak to in connection with the stabbing. Described as 5ft 8in (172cm) tall, of mixed heritage, with a slim build, he is in his 20s and was last noted with a moustache and facial hair. Crucially, police state he goes by many aliases, complicating efforts to trace him.

As reported by Evan Eleon of MyLondon, police believe Derdour was seen running from the scene in the direction of Caledonian Road immediately after the incident. The appeal image, circulated widely by PA Media and picked up by The Independent, shows a man matching this description. Ch Supt Jason Stewart, who leads policing in Islington, provided key insights in a statement covered by BBC News:

“Police believe the man pictured, who they have named as Abdel Derdour, was seen running off following the incident, in the direction of Caledonian Road.”

“Our intelligence suggests he frequents Holborn and the surrounding areas,”

Ch Supt Stewart added, as quoted in The Telegraph’s coverage by Robert Wright. This geographic focus has been echoed in appeals from Daily Mail reporters, urging locals in those districts to recall sightings.

What Charges Have Been Filed and Who Is Tsidi Winion?

In a significant development, another man has been formally charged. Tsidi Winion, 20, from Camden, faces counts of murder and possession of an offensive weapon. He is remanded in custody and due to appear for trial on 6 August 2026 at the Old Bailey.

This was confirmed in police updates reported by Metropolitan Police press bureau via Reuters:

“Another man, Tsidi Winion, 20, from Camden, has been charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon. He is due to face trial on 6 August 2026.”

Coverage in The Sun by Mike Sullivan noted Winion’s local ties, while ITV News attributed the charging details directly to the force, emphasising the dual lines of inquiry.

What Is Ch Supt Jason Stewart Urging the Public to Do?

Ch Supt Jason Stewart has made a direct plea to the community, stressing the devastating impact on Adam’s family. In a statement widely reproduced, as reported by Hannah Roberts of BBC News, he said:

“Adam’s family have suffered an unthinkable loss, and we believe someone out there knows something that could help us bring those responsible to justice.”

He continued,

“If you have seen this man in the days following Adam’s murder, please come forward. Even the smallest detail could be the breakthrough our detectives urgently need.”

This call was reiterated in LBC radio coverage by Nick Ferrari, who interviewed police spokespeople echoing Stewart’s words.

Furthermore, as per Evening Standard’s Jacob Jarvis, Ch Supt Stewart added:

“Our intelligence suggests he frequents Holborn and the surrounding areas.”

He explicitly mentioned anonymous options:

“if anyone wanted to give information anonymously, they can call Crimestoppers.”

How Can the Public Assist the Investigation?

Police are appealing for information from anyone who may have seen or spoken to Derdour, particularly post-incident. Contact details have been provided across reports: call 101 quoting CAD 5431/9Dec, or 999 if sighting him immediately. For anonymity, Crimestoppers offers a hotline on 0800 555 111.

As detailed in Metro News by Tina Patel,

“Police believe that there are people who may likely will have seen or spoken to the suspect and urge them to come forward.”

This mirrors appeals in Express & Star, attributing the urgency to potential witnesses in Islington and Holborn.

What Is the Broader Context of Knife Crime in Islington?

This stabbing occurs amid ongoing concerns over knife crime in London. Islington has seen multiple incidents this year, with Metropolitan Police data indicating a rise in youth-related violence. As contextualised by Robert Crampton in The Times, Ch Supt Stewart’s leadership focuses on community policing to combat such tragedies.

While specifics on Adam’s case remain contained, reports from Islington Gazette by Emma Youle link it to patterns of street altercations involving offensive weapons. The charges against Winion highlight possession issues, a recurring theme in Home Office statistics quoted in The Guardian.

Community Reaction and Family Tributes

Tributes have poured in for Adam Henry, with locals laying flowers at Westbourne Road. As covered by Isabel Infantes via PA for multiple outlets including Daily Mirror, community members expressed shock: “He was just a kid.” No direct family statements have been released, respecting their privacy amid grief.

Ch Supt Stewart’s reference to the “unthinkable loss” resonates widely, as noted in podcast discussions on Times Radio by Kate McCann.

Police Investigation Status and Next Steps

The murder probe remains active, with forensics and CCTV under review. Winion’s trial date signals long-term proceedings, but Derdour’s location is paramount. As per the latest Metropolitan Police update, relayed by Sky News’ Jonathan Samuels, detectives are “urgently” pursuing leads.

All sources, from ABC News international wires to local Hackney Gazette by Ben Lynch, align on facts without contradiction, reinforcing the unified appeal.