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Member of acid rape gang killed before trial
Justin Davenport, Crime Correspondent10.12.08
A MEMBER of the gang which raped a 16-year-old girl and then poured caustic soda over her was fatally stabbed in Oxford Street before he could face justice, it can be revealed today.
Police say Steven Bigby, 22, would have been convicted with three other gang members at Wood Green crown court this week had he not been killed.
Bigby was stabbed outside a McDonald's last summer in a fight that was unconnected to the sex attack. Anthony Costa, 18, was convicted of Bigby's manslaughter at the Old Bailey last month.
An order preventing Bigby's identification was imposed during the trial but was lifted by Old Bailey judge Richard Hawkins today.
The girl who was raped at an abandoned house in Antill Road, Tottenham, on 9 January had a mental age of eight and was left with 55 per cent burns from the 98 per cent strength caustic soda.
Detective Constable Alexandra Newton, of the Met police unit which investigated the rape, said: "Bigby definitely would have been found guilty. His DNA was all over a towel in the bathroom."
Rogel McMorris, 18, of Stockwell, was convicted of two counts of rape and GBH. Jason Brew, 19, of Tottenham, and Hector Muaimba, 20, of Walthamstow, were each convicted of one count of rape. Sentencing is next month.
Reader views (5)
Agree with Lisa - why would people who have done something so horrendous be out on bail? I don't think they were just a danger to women but to all people.
- H, London
Unfortunate that he died technically innocent of the heinous crime, however, I doubt many tears will be shed.
- John, Llandudno, Wales
Can i ask why this very dangerous man (and his mates) were not in prison waiting trial? Surely they were a danger to all women? What was to stop them hurting other women and ruining lives before the court case?
- Lisa, London
Horrible story, but it shows something depressing about the widespread scientific illiteracy in this country that caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) could be described as an acid. It's a very strong alkali.
- John, London
The great irony was that had he been on remand he would have been facing jail as the other members of the gang are. It says alot about our system when he would have been safer behind bars. Still atleast he got a suitable punishment.
- S-M Hearmon, London, UK
