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The Central Criminal Court has officially taken over the prosecution of 35-year-old Amar Zafar, establishing a judicial roadmap for the trial following the fatal stabbing of Luke Brereton in Wimbledon.
Judicial Mandate and 2026 Trial Timeline
During a hearing at the Old Bailey on February 25, 2026, Amar Zafar was remanded in high-security custody by a senior judge. The case has moved swiftly from Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court to the Central Criminal Court, where a preliminary trial date is being targeted for the second half of 2026. The court has scheduled a formal Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing (PTPH) for May 2026.
Read also: Old Bailey Remands Amar Zafar as Detectives Secure New Evidence in Wimbledon Murder
At this hearing, Zafar will be required to formally enter his plea to charges of murder and possession of a bladed article. The prosecution has been granted a window until late spring to serve its full evidence bundle, which includes extensive digital and forensic findings.
Deep Analysis: The Suspect’s Background and Mitcham Connection
While Amar Zafar’s current residence is listed on Cambridge Grove Road, Kingston, detectives are now focusing heavily on his long-standing ties to Mitcham (CR4). Fresh investigative leads suggest Zafar previously lived in the Mitcham/Croydon border area for several years. Following his arrest, community members provided police with unverified reports of a criminal history dating back to his youth, including a specific allegation involving a "gunpoint" firearms incident. Detectives from the Specialist Crime Command are currently auditing historical files to verify these claims, as they seek to determine if a pattern of violent behavior exists.
Read More: Who Is Amar Zafar and Why Was Luke Brereton Killed?
Forensic Breakthroughs on The Broadway
New technical evidence has surfaced regarding the 15-minute window preceding the 12:37 AM attack outside Tequila Mockingbird. Specialized forensic teams have successfully enhanced CCTV footage from the Broadway, which reportedly shows a "spontaneous escalation" rather than a pre-planned ambush. While the Metropolitan Police continue to treat this as an isolated incident, they are investigating whether Zafar and Brereton—a well-known "gentle soul" in the Mitcham community—had any brief interaction in the hours prior to the fatal confrontation. Currently, no official records indicate the two men were long-term acquaintances.
Community Solidarity and Next Steps
In Mitcham, the local response has been one of profound grief and collective action. A candlelight vigil on Mitcham Green saw hundreds gather to honor Luke Brereton, while a community-led fundraiser for his family has nearly doubled its initial goal. As the legal proceedings move toward the May plea hearing, the focus shifts to the finalized pathology reports and the analysis of the weapon recovered at the scene. Police maintain a presence on The Broadway, continuing to seek witnesses who can provide further clarity on the motive behind the tragedy.
