ALFIE CONWAY-RYLE CONVICTED OF MURDER OVER SOUTHWARK PARK ATTACK

Alfie Conway-Ryle has been found guilty of murder at Croydon Crown Court over an attack on William Ffrench, known as Owen, in Southwark Park on 27 June 2024. CCTV footage showed Conway-Ryle trip Owen and stamp on his head more than 15 times over roughly 40 seconds near Surrey Canal, the court heard. Owen suffered a catastrophic brain injury, extensive facial fractures and broken ribs in the attack, and never regained consciousness. Months later in hospital, he was diagnosed with lung cancer, but medical professionals concluded he was too unwell to undergo treatment. He died in March 2025. Conway-Ryle was initially charged with attempted murder and pleaded not guilty, before the charge was upgraded to murder.

Detectives launched a murder investigation to establish whether the assault had denied Owen the chance to receive cancer treatment and had materially contributed to his death, according to Detective Inspector Richard Mackenzie, who led the inquiry. The investigation drew on evidence from Owen's treating clinician, an oncologist, a neuropathologist and a forensic pathologist. Conway-Ryle was charged with attempted murder in June 2024, with the charge upgraded to murder in February this year. He was convicted at Croydon Crown Court on Wednesday following the trial.

Mackenzie said Owen's family and close friends had "endured an unimaginably long and painful journey" since the attack, and said he hoped the verdict would hold Conway-Ryle accountable for the "devastating consequences" of his actions, while acknowledging no verdict could undo the family's loss. In a statement, Owen's family said "justice has finally been served", describing him as "the life and soul" of the family and "somebody's son, somebody's brother, and a truly loving, caring, and selfless man". Conway-Ryle faces a life sentence for murder, according to reports of the case.