{"id":476152,"date":"2026-04-03T15:00:48","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T14:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/?p=476152"},"modified":"2026-04-03T15:00:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T14:00:51","slug":"man-found-guilty-of-murdering-woman-after-he-tried-to-make-out-he-was-acting-in-self-defence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/news\/crime\/man-found-guilty-of-murdering-woman-after-he-tried-to-make-out-he-was-acting-in-self-defence\/","title":{"rendered":"Man found guilty of murdering woman after he tried to make out he was acting in self-defence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>A man from Streatham has been convicted of murdering a woman in Croydon and then trying to cover it up with a self-inflicted wound in order to claim he acted in self-defence<\/strong>, <strong><em>writes Sinead Campbell&#8230;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Simon Ghebremedhin, 33, stabbed Marjama Osman, 26, to death inside her home on Frith Road, Croydon on Saturday, 31 May, 2025.<\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"69959\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448384\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">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<\/script>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-southwark-news wp-block-embed-southwark-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"may0I5F46d1Ck8qKeVoS3YZbilHw\"><blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"mNuaWnl0fs\"><a href=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/news\/community\/new-purpose-built-centre-offering-specialist-support-for-anyone-whos-experienced-abuse-or-harassment\/\">New purpose-built centre offering specialist support for anyone who\u2019s experienced abuse or harassment<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;New purpose-built centre offering specialist support for anyone who\u2019s experienced abuse or harassment&#8221; &#8212; Southwark News\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/news\/community\/new-purpose-built-centre-offering-specialist-support-for-anyone-whos-experienced-abuse-or-harassment\/embed\/#?secret=pxp08FaPF0#?secret=mNuaWnl0fs\" data-secret=\"mNuaWnl0fs\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The jury at Inner London Crown Court found Ghebremedhin of Streatham High Road, SW16, guilty of murder on Monday 1 April.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Police officers were called to Marjama\u2019s flat after a passerby found her lying unconscious outside the property. Ghebremedhin was also present with a knife injury to his abdomen, he was taken to hospital and subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder.&nbsp;<\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"68153\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448385\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">PGRpdiBpZD0ic291dGgtMTUzMzYyOTkxOSIgY2xhc3M9InNvdXRoLWNvbnRlbnQgc291dGgtZW50aXR5LXBsYWNlbWVudCIgc3R5bGU9Im1hcmdpbi1sZWZ0OiBhdXRvO21hcmdpbi1yaWdodDogYXV0bzt0ZXh0LWFsaWduOiBjZW50ZXI7Ij48IS0tICAvMTU0NzI1MDcwLDIyNjk0MTk2OTY5L3NvdXRod2Fya25ld3Mvc291dGh3YXJrbmV3cyAtLT4NCjxkaXYgaWQ9ImRpdi1ncHQtYWQtMngxIj4NCjxzY3JpcHQ+DQpnb29nbGV0YWcuY21kLnB1c2goZnVuY3Rpb24oKSB7IGdvb2dsZXRhZy5kaXNwbGF5KCdkaXYtZ3B0LWFkLTJ4MScpOyB9KTsNCjwvc2NyaXB0Pg0KPC9kaXY+ICAgICAgICAgIDwvZGl2Pg==<\/script>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"394\" height=\"541\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Marjama-Osman-Victim.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-476156\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Marjama-Osman-Victim.png 394w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Marjama-Osman-Victim-204x280.png 204w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Marjama-Osman-Victim-106x146.png 106w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 394px) 100vw, 394px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Marjama Osman. Photo supplied by Metropolitan Police<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Ghebremedhin and Marjama were known to each other and Ghebremedhin visited Marjama\u2019s flat on the day of the murder. CCTV footage obtained by investigators from the location showed the defendant smashing his own phone and banging the door. Marjama let him into the property, where he stabbed her. She escaped the flat, before collapsing outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ghebremedhin claimed he had acted in self-defence after Marjama attacked him with a knife. However, investigators found no signs of injury in the immediate aftermath of the stabbing. CCTV footage shows that Ghebremedhin followed Marjama out of the property and then went back inside. It is assumed that he then injured himself in a bid to claim self-defence.<\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"71156\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448386\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">PGRpdiBpZD0ic291dGgtODQwNjg3ODA4IiBjbGFzcz0ic291dGgtaW4tYXJ0aWNsZS1tcHU5IHNvdXRoLWVudGl0eS1wbGFjZW1lbnQiPjwhLS0gIC8xNTQ3MjUwNzAsMjI2OTQxOTY5Njkvc291dGh3YXJrbmV3cy9zb3V0aHdhcmtuZXdzIC0tPg0KPGRpdiBpZD0iZGl2LWdwdC1hZC1tcHU5Ij4NCjxzY3JpcHQ+DQpnb29nbGV0YWcuY21kLnB1c2goZnVuY3Rpb24oKSB7IGdvb2dsZXRhZy5kaXNwbGF5KCdkaXYtZ3B0LWFkLW1wdTknKTsgfSk7DQo8L3NjcmlwdD4NCjwvZGl2PiAgICAgPC9kaXY+<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>The jury were shown specialist evidence called in by officers which determined that the abdomen wound was likely to have been self-inflicted.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ghebremedhin will be sentenced at Inner London Crown Court on Tuesday, 14 April.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"280\" height=\"283\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Simon-Ghebremedhin-Custody-Photo.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-476157\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Simon-Ghebremedhin-Custody-Photo.png 280w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Simon-Ghebremedhin-Custody-Photo-277x280.png 277w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Simon-Ghebremedhin-Custody-Photo-144x146.png 144w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Simon-Ghebremedhin-Custody-Photo-75x75.png 75w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 280px) 100vw, 280px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Simon Ghebremedhin. Photo supplied by Metropolitan Police <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Detective Inspector Aytac Necati, who led the Met\u2019s investigation, said: \u201cOur thoughts today are with Marjama\u2019s family and friends. The evidence presented at trial was graphic and highly distressing, which meant Marjama\u2019s loved ones were subjected to further torment and anguish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGhebremedhin is a particularly devious killer, who went to great lengths to deceive police and the court. Thankfully, diligent detective work has exposed him as a liar.<\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"71157\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448387\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">PGRpdiBpZD0ic291dGgtMzM3Mjg4NTYwOSIgY2xhc3M9InNvdXRoLWluLWFydGljbGUtbXB1LTEwIHNvdXRoLWVudGl0eS1wbGFjZW1lbnQiPjwhLS0gIC8xNTQ3MjUwNzAsMjI2OTQxOTY5Njkvc291dGh3YXJrbmV3cy9zb3V0aHdhcmtuZXdzIC0tPg0KPGRpdiBpZD0iZGl2LWdwdC1hZC1tcHUxMCI+DQo8c2NyaXB0Pg0KZ29vZ2xldGFnLmNtZC5wdXNoKGZ1bmN0aW9uKCkgeyBnb29nbGV0YWcuZGlzcGxheSgnZGl2LWdwdC1hZC1tcHUxMCcpOyB9KTsNCjwvc2NyaXB0Pg0KPC9kaXY+ICAgICA8L2Rpdj4=<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Met is committed to protecting the public from harm \u2013 with violence against women and girls a particular focus of our New Met for London strategy. The successful prosecution in this case illustrates this commitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ll continue to do everything in our power to take the most dangerous and prolific perpetrators off our streets.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-southwark-news wp-block-embed-southwark-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"Tb\"><blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"L6wd0ZDYCR\"><a href=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/news\/community\/all-women-in-southwark-can-attend-self-defence-classes-for-free\/\">All women in Southwark can attend self-defence classes for free<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;All women in Southwark can attend self-defence classes for free&#8221; &#8212; Southwark News\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/news\/community\/all-women-in-southwark-can-attend-self-defence-classes-for-free\/embed\/#?secret=RCsSc71rEQ#?secret=L6wd0ZDYCR\" data-secret=\"L6wd0ZDYCR\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A man from Streatham has been convicted of murdering a woman in Croydon and then trying to cover it up with a self-inflicted wound in order to claim he acted in self-defence, writes Sinead Campbell&#8230; Simon Ghebremedhin, 33, stabbed Marjama Osman, 26, to death inside her home on Frith Road, Croydon on Saturday, 31 May, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18930,"featured_media":476157,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":{"format":"standard","override":[{"template":"1","parallax":"1","fullscreen":"1","layout":"right-sidebar","sidebar":"default-sidebar","second_sidebar":"default-sidebar","sticky_sidebar":"1","share_position":"top","share_float_style":"share-monocrhome","show_share_counter":"1","show_view_counter":"1","show_featured":"1","show_post_meta":"1","show_post_author":"1","show_post_author_image":"1","show_post_date":"1","post_date_format":"default","post_date_format_custom":"Y\/m\/d","show_post_category":"1","show_post_reading_time":"0","post_reading_time_wpm":"300","post_calculate_word_method":"str_word_count","show_zoom_button":"0","zoom_button_out_step":"2","zoom_button_in_step":"3","show_post_tag":"1","show_prev_next_post":"1","show_popup_post":"1","show_comment_section":"1","number_popup_post":"1","show_author_box":"1","show_inline_post_related":"1"}],"image_override":[{"single_post_thumbnail_size":"crop-500","single_post_gallery_size":"crop-500"}],"trending_post_position":"meta","trending_post_label":"Trending","sponsored_post_label":"Sponsored by","disable_ad":"0","subtitle":"Police said the killer injured himself in a bid to claim he had been stabbed "},"jnews_primary_category":{"id":"9635"},"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":{"view_counter_number":"0","share_counter_number":"0","like_counter_number":"0","dislike_counter_number":"0"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[13541,17613,13602],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-476152","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crime","category-croydon","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/476152","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18930"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=476152"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/476152\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":476172,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/476152\/revisions\/476172"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/476157"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=476152"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=476152"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=476152"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}