Sutton & Croydon Guardian

Dennis James will be 39-years-old next month, but for him, the past year has not been a cause for celebration.

It is a year which has seen him become unexpectedly homeless, temporarily jobless and struggling to manage fatherhood to his seven and eight-year-old children.

Dennis’s struggles with Croydon’s housing system after asking for help when his relationship broke down ultimately forced him to live in his car for months in the Whitgift car park.

Elisha Fizul called the 24-year-old on WhatsApp 10 minutes before he was killed by Martyn Blake during a police stop in Streatham, south London, the Old Bailey was told.

His last words before they lost contact were “Lish, one sec, I think there is police behind me”, jurors heard.

In a statement read to the court on Friday, Ms Fizul said she had been friends with Mr Kaba for about two years before the fatal incident on September 5 2022.

She said: “I called Chris by WhatsApp at 20.00 on September 5. Unfortunately, he did not answer my call right away.

The work will affect trains on October 12 and October 13.

We have compiled all the details on these works so that you can plan your journey this weekend.

Saturday and Sunday (October 12 and October 13);

Engineering work is taking place at London Victoria, closing lines in the Croydon area.

Replacement buses will run between East Croydon and Clapham Junction, calling at West Croydon, Selhurst, Thornton Heath, Norbury, Streatham Common, Balham and Wandsworth Common.

Martyn Blake, 40, shot the 24-year-old in the head through the windscreen of an Audi car during a police stop in Streatham, south London, on September 5 2022.

Moments before, Mr Kaba had tried to get away by driving forward and then reversing into a police car which had blocked him in, jurors have heard.

Police had been looking for the Audi after its registration was linked to reports of gunshots in Brixton, south London the night before, the Old Bailey was told.

Martyn Blake, 40, has gone on trial at the Old Bailey charged with murdering Mr Kaba.

The 24-year-old was in the driving seat of an Audi car when he was shot in the head in Streatham, south London, on September 5 2022.

Prosecutor Tom Little KC told jurors Blake’s decision to use lethal force was “not reasonably justified or justifiable”.

He told jurors: “The defendant did not know the man he shot. What he was thinking at the time only he knows.

Martyn Blake, 40, is accused of the murder of 24-year-old Mr Kaba in south London on September 6 2022.

Mr Kaba died after being shot once in the head through the windscreen of an Audi car in Kirstall Gardens, Streatham.

Blake, who in the case was formerly referred to as NX121, has denied the charge against him.

His trial is being heard before Mr Justice Goss at the Old Bailey and is expected to go on for up to three weeks.

On Wednesday, a jury is expected to be sworn in before prosecutor Tom Little KC opens the case against Blake.

The work will affect trains from September 30 through to October 4.

We have compiled all the details on these works so that you can plan your journey this week.

Monday to Friday (September 30 to October 4):

Engineering work is taking place between South Croydon and East Grinstead, closing all lines overnight from Monday evening until Friday morning.

After 10.45pm, trains will not run between London Victoria and East Grinstead, or between London Bridge and Crowborough / Uckfield.

The work will affect trains from September 21 (Saturday) through to September 22 (Sunday).

We have compiled all the details on these works so that you can plan your journey this weekend.

September 21 and 22 (Saturday and Sunday):

Engineering work is taking place between Peckham Rye and Streatham, closing all lines.

Buses will replace trains between London Bridge and Streatham Common via Peckham Rye.

Trains which usually run between London Bridge and East Croydon via Peckham Rye will only run between Streatham and East Croydon.

A casualty on the tracks was reported at the station in Brigstock Road just before 8.20pm yesterday (September 20).

Officers and London Ambulance Service crews were called to the scene.

The person was pronounced dead shortly after.

The incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

All lines between Streatham and Selhurst were closed as the incident was dealt with but it has since reopened.

If you've been affected by what happened on the network, there is always someone to talk to.

The work will affect trains from September 16 through to September 20.

We have compiled all the details on these works so that you can plan your journey this week.

Monday to Wednesday (September 16 to September 18):

Engineering work is taking place between Three Bridges and Brighton, closing some lines.

The 11.25pm train from London Victoria to Brighton service will be diverted between Haywards Heath and Brighton via Lewes, and will not call at Burgess Hill or Hassocks.