Man sentenced for killing ‘beloved’ man - Havering

A man has been sentenced today (4 April) after a ‘beloved’ brother, father, and grandfather was killed outside Harold Wood Underground station, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Sekai Miles, 23, and of Brent Cross in Hendon, pleaded guilty at a previous court hearing on 13 January 2025 to manslaughter by diminished responsibility.

He was sentenced today (4 April) at the Old Bailey to an indefinite hospital order.

Bernard Fowler, 87, and described by his family as a “kind, loving” man who helped many of the residents of his community, died early in the morning of Tuesday 27 February 2024.

Just before 4.30am, while out on a walk to collect his morning newspaper,  Bernard was brutally and repeatedly attacked by Miles in an unprovoked assault, before Miles shortly afterwards left the scene.

A member of the public found Bernard injured outside the station and called 999, and officers attended alongside the London Ambulance Service. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, Bernard was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers in the area quickly located Miles walking nearby the station with Bernard’s walking stick, and he was promptly arrested and taken into custody.

Senior Investigating Officer DCI Sam Painter said: “This was a horrific and brutal act of unprovoked violence which claimed the life of a much loved and respected father, brother, and grandfather.

“I know that no result can possibly make up for the pain and devastation that the tragic loss of Bernard has brought, but I hope that today’s outcome will help them find some comfort.”