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The Central Criminal Court prepares to hear the case against Amar Zafar tomorrow as the Mitcham community shares troubling new claims regarding the suspect's past.
Read more- Who Is Amar Zafar and Why Was Luke Brereton Killed?
Court Preparations and the Looming Old Bailey Appearance
Following his initial appearance at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court, 35-year-old Amar Zafar is now held in high-security remand ahead of a pivotal hearing at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, February 25. Charged with the murder of 40-year-old Luke Brereton and possession of a bladed article, Zafar’s transition to the Central Criminal Court marks the start of a complex legal battle. While the incident outside Tequila Mockingbird on The Broadway is officially being treated as an isolated event, detectives are focusing on a 15-minute window of CCTV footage that reportedly shows the escalation from a verbal dispute to a fatal confrontation.
Mitcham Residents Raise Alarms Over Suspect’s Violent Past
A significant shift in the investigation has occurred as members of the Mitcham community come forward with unverified but serious allegations against the accused. One local resident, speaking to Daily Dazzling Dawn, alleged that Zafar has a long-standing "criminal record dating back to his youth" and was previously involved in a high-stakes firearms incident in the CR4 area. While these claims of a prior "gunpoint" encounter have not been formally confirmed by the Metropolitan Police, investigators are reportedly cross-referencing these community reports with historical records from Zafar’s time living in Mitcham before his recent move to Cambridge Grove Road, Kingston.
Solidarity in CR4: The Luke Brereton Memorial Movement
The focus for many remains on the victim, Luke Brereton, whose image was recently released to the public for the first time. In Mitcham, the "gentle soul" is being remembered through a rapidly growing community fundraiser designed to assist his family with the sudden burden of funeral costs. Local organizers have also finalized plans for a candlelight vigil at Mitcham Green, intended to coincide with the judicial proceedings this week. This surge of solidarity highlights the deep impact the tragedy has had on the victim's hometown, as neighbors demand a thorough investigation into the suspect’s background and the circumstances of the early-morning attack.
Next Steps: What to Expect in Court and Beyond
Tomorrow’s Old Bailey appearance is expected to establish a strict timetable for the service of evidence and a potential trial date later in 2026. Legal experts suggest that the prosecution will present a summary of forensic findings from the scene, including analysis of the weapon recovered during Zafar's rapid arrest on Sunday morning. As the legal process gains momentum, the Metropolitan Police continue to operate a mobile station on The Broadway, seeking any final witnesses who may have crucial information regarding the suspect’s movements or the specific trigger for the violence that claimed the life of Luke Brereton.
