Drug dealer stabbed to death in Stoke Newington ‘so rivals could use customer contacts on phone’, inquest told

A young drug dealer who was stabbed to death in north-east London was likely killed by rivals wanting to steal his customers, an inquest has heard.

Antonio Rodney-Cole died in hospital, aged 22, after he was knifed in Stoke Newington on December 2, 2013.

On Wednesday, Poplar Coroner’s Court heard that a suspect has been identified and there is enough evidence to bring them to trial, but they have left the UK.

Giving evidence over video-link, Metropolitan Police Detective Inspector Harbir Kooner said the murder investigation was continuing.

Mr Kooner, who joined Scotland Yard’s investigation in 2015, said officers believed Mr Rodney-Cole’s death was related to his drug dealing.

He said evidence indicated “it was an issue with drug dealing that they wanted to steal his mobile phone to sell drugs from, so in essence the contacts on that phone”.

The inquest was told that Mr Rodney-Cole had been seen in the Oldfield Road area with two other men on the morning of his death.

Francis Alo, who lived nearby, said he saw the group standing near a car.

In a statement read to the court, he said the other two men were walking off when Mr Rodney-Cole said: “Don’t go off like that.”

They then returned to the car before leaving “hastily”.

“It was then the victim called out to me ‘Big man, call me an ambulance’,” Mr Alo said.

The victim drove off before the witness saw him again minutes later.

He said: “I could see a lot of blood on the floor of the car and a cut to his hand.

“When I tried to help him I saw there was a knife on his lap.

“The whole incident lasted about 10 to 15 minutes from when I first saw the men.”

Police and ambulances attended before midday and Mr Rodney-Cole died in hospital shortly before 1pm.

The inquest heard that Mr Rodney-Cole died from a haemorrhage caused by a stab wound to his right leg and had also suffered an injury to his back.

Senior coroner Mary Hassell made a determination of unlawful killing.

The inquest also heard written evidence from one of Mr Rodney-Cole’s long-term customers, Leanne Brown.

In a statement, Ms Brown said she spoke to the victim on the morning of his death, when he said to call him back later as he was still preparing the drugs for sale.

She said: “When I rang later, a male answered the phone. I didn’t recognise this person’s voice.

“The male gave me a different number to continue dealing.”

Ms Brown met up with the unknown man on the phone and bought a package of heroin from him, later recognising it as Mr Rodney-Cole’s drugs by the way the package was wrapped.

The inquest heard that detectives have enough evidence to charge a suspect with robbery and murder.

Mr Kooner continued: “There is significant evidence for a murder charge and the realistic possibility of a conviction.

“If someone has left the UK, depending where they are, it can take a significant time due to extradition treaties in various countries.”

He told the court, including Mr Rodney-Cole’s sister Bianca Nelson, who also appeared via video-link, that steps are still being taken to charge and retrieve the suspect.

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