Mountsfield Park, the location of the incident. Photo: Stuart Cankett
Police have opened a murder investigation into the death of a five-year-old boy from Bromley, who died on Tuesday, three days after suffering critical head injuries in a Lewisham park.
The child was admitted to a south-east London hospital on Sunday night with serious head injuries he received following an ‘incident involving a man’ in Mountsfield Park, Catford.
Scotland Yard have confirmed officers were called out to the hospital the following morning at approximately 1.45 am.
The boy died on Tuesday afternoon. The investigation was subsequently passed over to the Homicide and Major Crime Command.
The results of a post mortem examination which took place on Thursday have revealed the cause of death as head injuries.
On Monday, Marvin Iheanacho, 38, from Wesley Avenue, Hounslow, was arrested, and charged with grievous bodily harm with intent when he appeared at Bromley Magistrates Court the following day.
He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Woolwich Crown Court on December 20.
Detective Chief Inspector Tony Lynes, who is in charge of the investigation, urged anyone who may have seen or heard anything related to the ‘incident involving a man in the company of a child’ to get in touch with the police:
“We are appealing to find any witnesses who were in, or near to, Mountsfield Park, Catford between approximately 17:15hrs and 18:45hrs on Sunday, 20 November. This is where we believe the victim sustained his injuries.”
A community group, Friends of Mountsfield Park, made a statement on their website:
“Mountsfield Park is a community park which is much loved by the local residents who use it every day. We and the park users we represent are devastated by this dreadful news. We will help in any way we can and urge anyone who is able to help the police with their enquiries to come forward.”
Police officers will be conducting appeals at the park one week on from the incident, on Sunday 27 November.
Anyone who can help with the investigation is asked to call the incident room on 020 8721 4868 or to give information anonymously Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
