Father of British aristocrat, 28, who was tortured to death in a Kenyan police cell is ‘shocked’ and ‘saddened’ after his four killers were released after less than 18 months behind bars
- Nicholas Monson, 67, said he was ‘shocked and saddened’ by release of men
- His son Alexander, 28, died in 2012 after being ‘brutally tortured’ by four officers
- He called suggestions that his son was injured before his arrest as ‘nonsense’
- READ MORE: A nine-year fight for justice but parents’ anguish remains
The father of a young British aristocrat who was tortured to death in a Kenyan police cell spoke of his dismay yesterday after his son’s four killers were freed from prison on appeal after serving less than 18 months.
Nicholas Monson, 67, told The Mail on Sunday he was ‘shocked, surprised and saddened’ by the release of the policemen following their manslaughter conviction.
His son, Alexander, 28, died in 2012 after being ‘brutally tortured’ and struck in the head in a cell in the coastal town of Diani, where he was held for a minor drug offence.
In November 2021, nearly a decade later, the four men were finally brought before a court. There was insufficient evidence to convict them of murder.
But after describing how Alexander was subjected to a savage attack Judge Eric Ogola gave Chief Inspector Charles Munyuri, Corporal Naftali Chege, and Constables Ismael Baraka and John Pamba manslaughter terms ranging from nine to 15 years.
Chief Inspector Charles Munyuri, Corporal Naftali Chege, and Constables Ismael Baraka and John Pamba have been freed on appeal after serving less than 18 months for the manslaughter of young British aristocrat Alexander Monson, 28
Alexander, pictured with his sister Isabella, was found dead in 2012 after being ‘brutally tortured’ and struck in the head in a cell in the coastal town of Diani
Last night Lord Monson said: ‘The message sent to the Kenyan police with the conviction of my son’s killers was that they had to think twice about abusing their powers. Everyone rejoiced.
READ MORE: Four Kenyan policemen are jailed after being found guilty of manslaughter over death of British aristocrat’s son found dead in custody in 2012 as his mother says ‘justice has been done’
‘This has gone up in smoke.
‘The release of these guilty men is a retrograde step for the international perception of Kenya.’
Alexander was arrested for allegedly smoking cannabis in Mombasa in May 2012.
The next day, a friend found him unconscious at Diani police station having received blows to his head, groin and arm.
He died from a blow that caused bleeding to the brain.
Police insisted that he be tested in hospital for a drug overdose.
But the judge said this was clearly to cover up the attack, and a report showing he took cocaine, diazepam and other substances was falsified.
It was ‘beyond a shadow of a doubt’ that an officer killed him.
But on Friday, three appeal court judges said ‘unresolved issues’ in the case ‘ought to be resolved in favour of the appellants’.
Lord Monson said: ‘The suggestion that Alexander may have been injured prior to being brought to the police station is nonsense.’
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