London man who stabbed five in workplace attack locked up for 16 years

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

A man who carried out a violent knife attack on former colleagues at a distribution centre in south London has been jailed for 16 years.

Babah Sesay, 31, of Rodney Road, Southwark, was sentenced at Croydon Crown Court on Friday, 29 August, after admitting ten offences, including five counts of wounding with intent, two of aggravated burglary, actual bodily harm, assault by beating, and possession of an offensive weapon.

The attack took place on the morning of 23 January, when Sesay forced his way into the busy Marlowe Way distribution hub in Beddington and launched an unprovoked assault on staff members. Five men, aged in their 20s, 30s, and 50s, were taken to hospital, though their injuries were later confirmed as neither life-threatening nor life-changing.

Sesay fled the scene but was swiftly arrested by Metropolitan Police officers at a nearby fast-food outlet. He sustained minor injuries before being taken into custody.

Chief Superintendent Nick Blackburn, south London’s local policing commander, said the sentence provided justice and reassurance: “This significant jail term provides justice to the victims and highlights to the people of London that we will not tolerate violence in any form. No one should go to work and fear for their safety. The swift actions of our first responding officers meant no one was seriously hurt in this terrifying incident, and I’d like to personally thank them again for their bravery.”

A charge of criminal damage was ordered to remain on file.