Machete and axe-wielding men who behaved like “a pack of hyenas” cornered a man during a mass brawl before hacking him to death, a court has heard.

The brawl, which took place on November 23, lasted only a matter of minutes but culminated in the death of 26-year-old Justin Neel Croos and the attempted murder of four other men in Sibthorpe Road car park, Holborn Way, Mitcham. 

Eight men charged with murder, and the attempted murder of Jeyathpan Ganesalingham, Mahinda Mahndaskaran, Mayuran Gunaretnam and Hassan Rahman, and violent disorder appeared at the Old Bailey today, Monday, June 6, for the start of a trial which is expected to last up to 10 weeks.

April 4: Man number 8 charged with murder of Neel Croos who died after mass axe brawl in Sibthorpe car park, Holborn Way, Mitcham

Barrister for the prosecution, Mark Fenhalls, described the moments leading up to the bloody brawl, as both groups held separate alcohol-fuelled parties in different car parks – one party in Sibthorpe Road, where Mr Croos was, and another on the fifth floor of the nearby Morrison’s car park.

Shortly after 7pm, Mr Croos and some of his contemporaries left Sibthorpe Road car park and walked to Morrison’s to buy more alcohol. They were seen by the party in the Morrison’s car park, who allegedly shouted threats and abuse down to their rivals.

Wimbledon Times:

Police tape in Sibthorpe Road car park

The police were called, and some witnesses claimed bottles were thrown at them from the fifth floor.

Mr Croos re-entered Sibthorpe Road car park at 7.11pm. Between 7.12pm and 7.13pm, a group of 14 men left the Morrison’s car park and made their way towards Sibthorpe Road.

The court was shown CCTV footage of the 14 men, most of whom were either hooded or wearing hats, walking along Majestic Way before breaking into a run as they reached the alleyway leading towards Sibthorpe Road car park.

Mr Fenhalls told the jury: “It might be of great significance to you what we hear about in terms of who said what and what went on, and what caused those 14 men to exit the Morrison’s car park through the back entrance, with no CCTV in it, before making their way to Sibthorpe Road car park.

“These defendants were amongst that group who first walked and then ran into Sibthorpe Road car park and took part in the fatal attack on Mr Croos.

March 30: Seven men deny murdering Neel Croos in mass axe brawl in Mitcham car park

Wimbledon Times:

Police in Sibthorpe Road car park

“What did they have in their minds when they ran into that car park?”

Mr Fenhalls described eye witness accounts of the fight, including a number of witnesses who alleged that Prashad Sothilingham was wielding an axe in the fight, attacking Mr Ganesalingham and Mr Gunaretnam as well as Mr Croos.

One witness said Mr Gunaretnam and Mr Croos were “cornered” by seven or eight men as Mr Croos attempted to use a glass bottle to defend himself, while another described the attackers as “like a pack of hyenas.”

Several witnesses have alleged that Mr Sothilingham struck Mr Croos several times on the head with the axe, including as he lay on the ground.

Mr Croos died two days later in hospital. A post mortem identified several skull fractures, with the killing injury going through the skull and requiring “severe force.”

Mr Mahndaskaran put his hand on the back of his head to defend himself when he was attacked with an axe. The blow almost dismembered his fingers, which had to be reconstructed and are still not entirely functional.

Other weapons used in the fight are believed to include machetes, swords, knives, metal bars, glass bottles and socks with snooker balls in. None of the weapons have been recovered by police.

Mr Fenhalls said: “This was a joint attack by the men in the dock. They were each armed and participating in the attack, using weapons and shouting and encouraging each other.

“They are each liable for murder and attempted murder.”

The eight defendants in the trial are:

  • Prashad Sothilingham, 25, of Edgehill Road, Mitcham.
  • Araventhan Puventhiran, 22, of Stoneleigh Avenue, Worcester Park
  • Sivakaran Ockersz, 18, of Heathdene Road, Wallington
  • Gowrishanth Loganathan, 21, of Cambridge Road, Mitcham
  • Mohanran Parimalanthan, 22, of Stafford Road, Wallington
  • Jerome Anton Jeyakumar, 23, of Framfield Road, Mitcham
  • Visuparathan Dayaparan, 23, of Phipps Bridge Road, Mitcham
  • Vithusan Balamurali, 20, of Hawkes Road, Mitcham.

All of the men have denied all the charges

 Two men, Inkaran Balasingham and Sugan Selvarajan, were described by Mr Fenhalls as “equally liable and responsible” for the murder and attempted murders. They have not yet been arrested.

The trial continues.