The Metropolitan Police officer charged with the murder of Chris Kaba has been named for the first time. This morning, Martyn Blake has been revealed as the cop charged after he was denied anonymity at a hearing at the Old Bailey.
The firearms officer was charged with murder after Mr Kaba died aged 24 following a single gunshot wound during a police operation in Streatham, south London, on September 5, 2022.
Previously he has been known only as NX121, before judge Mark Lucraft ruled that he should be named – the officer’s anonymity was supposed to be lifted on January 30, 2024, but this was extended until today.His date of birth was also made public but his address will not be made public and there will be restrictions preventing photos or court sketches.
Blake’s trial will begin on October 1. The judge’s decision comes after media organisations collectively challenged the officer’s legal application to protect his identity on the basis that confidence in the criminal justice system required cases to be held in public when possible.
The news was welcomed by Chris Kaba’s family who had also been pushing for the officer’s name to be released.
They told lawyer group Inquest in a statement: “We thank the court for doing the right thing by our family, and working in the public interest of open justice, by naming the officer.
“We hope the court will now be allowed to do its job without further disruption or delay.”
