'I knew at once he was dead... I reached his name and held his head'

Dad of murdered Daniel tells of his heartbreak over 'gifted' son who had a generous spirit

- By Stephen Beech

A DRUG-FUELLED killer who murdered a “gifted, kind and generous” schoolboy in a samurai sword rampage that also seriously injured two police officers has been jailed for life.

Marcus Monzo, 37, showed no emotion as he was sentenced to a minimum term of 40 years for killing Daniel Anjorin, 14, in Hainault, East London, in April last year.

Including time served, it means he will be behind bars for 38 years 309 days before he is eligible for parole, at which point he would be at least 75 — though he may never be released.

Monzo entered a state of psychosis - triggered by cannabis use before a horrific 20-minute rampage, the Old Bailey heard.

Daniel’s devastated dad said his son had “so much potential”.

Speaking outside the court, Dr Ebenezer Anjorin and his wife Grace said the sentencing marked the end of a “painful and deeply traumatic chapter” and paid tribute to their son.

In a statement, they said: “He was gifted academically, was kind and had a generous spirit that touched everyone who knew him. We carry that light with us, even in this dark time.

“We honour Daniel’s memory not in the shadow of this tragedy but through the love and happiness that he brought to us and all those who knew him. Thank you.”

In the victim impact statement read to the court, Dr Anjorin said he did not initially recognise Daniel after the attack in which he was fatally slashed in the head.

The teenager had just left the family home in his PE kit for school.