A LEYTONSTONE teenager has been charged with murder in connection with the alleged kidnap of a man whose severed thumb was found in Ilford.
Arnold Yousaf, aged 18, from Cann Hall Road, is charged with murder, conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to falsely imprison Mahmood Ahmad.
The 41-year-old, from Watford, hasn't been seen since leaving work at a kebab house in Aldgate, on March 7.
His severed thumb was found in a car park in Ilford three days later and police now believe he was murdered.
Following a 10-week investigation, detectives have charged Yousaf and five other men with his murder, despite not finding his body.
Detective Chief Inspector Melanie Burn, from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, who is leading the investigation, said: "Mahmood’s body has not been found.
"However following our extensive investigation we now believe Mahmood has been murdered."
Four other men have been charged with Mr Ahmad's murder.
Sharif Mohammed, 36, from Vista Drive in Ilford, has been charged with murder and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Mohammed Riaz, 33, of no fixed abode, has been charged with murder, conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to falsely imprison and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
A 17-year-old boy from London, who cannot be named because of his age, has been charged with murder, conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to falsely imprison.
Amirzada Hussain, aged 36, from Churston Avenue in Plaistow, is charged with murder, conspiracy to falsely imprison and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Two women have also been charged in connection with his kidnap.
Sabra Sultana, aged 35, from Kiwi Terrace in Ilford, is charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and conspiracy to falsely imprison.
Wazirea George, aged 41, from Impey Close in Thorpe Astley, near Leicester, is charged with assisting an offender. Wazirea George is bailed to appear at Hemel Hempstead Magistrates’ Court later this month.
Detectives have launched fresh appeals for information about a car that may have been involved with Mr Ahmad's kidnap and murder.
The car is an old style dark blue Honda Civic, registration V369 GUP, with a creamy-brown interior.
It is a VTEC SE Automatic 5-door car with alloy wheels.
Det Ch Insp Burn said: "Information about this vehicle could prove vital to our investigation and we are appealing for anyone to come forward who might have seen this car any time since the end of December last year, up to Mahmood’s disappearance in March and afterwards or has any information about it.
"It may well have been used in the London or South East.
Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on (01707) 355798 or Crimestoppers anonymously on (0800) 555111.
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