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The Central Criminal Court has officially taken jurisdiction over the prosecution of Amar Zafar following the tragic death of Luke Brereton.
High-Security Remand and Judicial Timetable
During his appearance at the Old Bailey today, 35-year-old Amar Zafar was remanded in high-security custody by a senior judge. The transition from Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court to the Central Criminal Court marks a critical phase in the legal proceedings for the Kingston resident, who faces charges of murder and possession of a bladed article. The court has established a strict preliminary timetable for the "Pleas and Trial Preparation Hearing" (PTPH), where Zafar must formally respond to the indictment. Legal experts anticipate a complex trial scheduled for the latter half of 2026, pending the completion of extensive forensic reports.
Read more: New Allegations Emerge as Amar Zafar Awaits Old Bailey Hearing for Brereton Murder
Read more: Who Is Amar Zafar and Why Was Luke Brereton Killed?
New Witness Testimony and CCTV Analysis
The Metropolitan Police Specialist Crime Command has confirmed the emergence of fresh witness accounts from individuals who were near The Broadway during the early hours of Sunday, February 22. These new statements are being cross-referenced with advanced forensic enhancements of CCTV footage recovered from businesses surrounding the Tequila Mockingbird venue. Detectives are specifically scrutinizing a 15-minute window to determine the precise trigger of the verbal altercation that escalated into the fatal attack. This digital reconstruction is expected to form the backbone of the prosecution’s evidence bundle, due for service by late spring.
Scrutiny of Suspect’s Past and Mitcham Ties
A significant arm of the ongoing investigation is now focused on Amar Zafar’s historical ties to the Mitcham area. Following persistent reports from the CR4 community regarding the suspect's alleged previous criminal involvement, investigators are conducting a thorough review of historical records and "gunpoint" encounter allegations dating back to his youth. This background profiling is being treated as a priority to establish any patterns of behavior relevant to the current charges. While police maintain the stabbing was an isolated event, the depth of the background check reflects the serious nature of the community’s concerns.
Community Solidarity and the Path to Justice
While the legal process gains momentum in the courtroom, the Mitcham community has demonstrated profound solidarity through a candlelight vigil on Mitcham Green and a successful fundraiser for the Brereton family. The "gentle soul" of the 40-year-old victim has united residents across South London, with many calling for total transparency regarding the suspect's history. As specialist family liaison officers continue to support the bereaved, the focus now shifts to the forensic analysis of the recovered weapon and the upcoming pathology reports that will finalize the evidentiary stage of the case.
Amar Zafar remains in custody at a high-security facility pending his next formal plea hearing at the Old Bailey.
