The Trial: Russell Brand

The jury have returned a Not Guilty verdict for firearms officer Martyn Blake. But what of Chris Kaba, the man he shot? In this episode we delve into the 24 year old’s criminal past which we weren't allowed to report during the trial.

Kaba was a member of one of South London’s most notorious and dangerous county lines drug gangs. His convictions date to when he was just 13 years old. Had he not died from the bullet fired by Martyn Blake he would have been standing trial for attempted murder himself for a shooting in a nightclub in Hackney. 

Rebecca Camber, the Daily Mail’s Crime and Security Editor joins Caroline to unpack the details.

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Presenters: Caroline Cheetham

Guest: Rebecca Camber

Editor: Chelsey Moore

Creative Director: Caroline Cheetham

Executive Producer: Lucy Vallance

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Sgt Martyn Blake of the Metropolitan Police has been found Not Guilty of the murder of Chris Kaba. Join Caroline Cheetham and George Odling with the very latest from The Old Bailey as the jury reach their verdict in this historic case.

In September of 2022, a 24 year old was shot through his car windscreen by a Metropolitan Police firearms officer. Chris Kaba died in hospital that night and Martyn Blake was put on trial for his murder. The CPS’s decision to prosecute led to over 300 officers handing in their gun permits.

In this episode we chart the jury’s path to returning the not guilty verdict and speak to former Chief Crown Prosecutor Nazir Afzal, about how decisions to charge are made.

Welcome to Episode 5: Not Guilty

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Presenters: Caroline Cheetham and George Odling

Guest: Nazir Afzal

Editor: Chelsey Moore

Creative Director: Caroline Cheetham

Executive Producer: Lucy Vallance

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Caroline Cheetham and Jack Hardy are back with the very latest from Woolwich Crown Court in The Trial of Daniel Khalife.

In this episode we bring you the most comprehensive account that Daniel Khalife has provided for his actions so far. He explains his plans to mount his own intelligence operation after being told his Iranian heritage would be a barrier to him ever obtaining the security clearance needed for his dream army roles. We also hear more about the kinds of documents he is accused of leaking and the moment he is caught by a police officer three days after his alleged escape from HMP Wandsworth.

Welcome to Episode 4: “They let a teenager fool them”

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Presenters: Caroline Cheetham and Jack Hardy

Editor: Chelsey Moore

Creative Director: Caroline Cheetham

Executive Producer: Lucy Vallance

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Join Caroline Cheetham and George Odling bringing you the very latest from The Trial of Officer Blake as it nears its conclusion.

In this episode we hear the words Martyn Blake used to describe the chaotic events leading up to the gunshot that caused Chris Kaba's death. He answers questions on whether his intention was to kill and whether he was aware of this as a possible outcome. We then bring you the key moments from the closing statements made by the prosecution and defence barristers, Tom Little KC and Patrick Gibbs KC.

Welcome to Episode 4: “He’s not RoboCop”

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Presenters: Caroline Cheetham and George Odling

Editor: Izzy Bougeard

Creative Director: Caroline Cheetham

Executive Producer: Lucy Vallance

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Caroline Cheetham and Jack Hardy are back with the very latest from The Trial of Daniel Khalife at Woolwich Crown Court.

In this episode we hear how Daniel Khalife was advised his bright prospects on his army unit would be restricted by his Iranian heritage. We bring you the voicenotes he exchanged with his so-called Iranian handlers and discuss his multiple attempts at communications with MI5 and MI6 shortly before his arrest in 2022.

Welcome to Episode 3: 'Wiffle Waffle'

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Presenters: Caroline Cheetham and Jack Hardy

Voice Actors: Sebastian Birtles, Alfie Mulligan, Thomas Broadley, Rhys Hanson

Editor: Izzy Bougeard

Creative Director: Caroline Cheetham

Executive Producer: Lucy Vallance

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Caroline Cheetham and George Odling are back with the very latest from The Trial of Officer Blake.

In September of 2022, a 24-year-old, father-to-be, was shot through his car windscreen by a Metropolitan Police firearms officer. Chris Kaba died in hospital that night and Martyn Blake now stands trial for murder. The CPS’s decision to prosecute led to over 300 officers handing in their gun permits.

In this episode we hear the words of Martyn Blake as he takes to the stand and defends his decision to fire the lethal shot. 

 Welcome to Episode 3: ‘Why I Pulled the Trigger’

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Presenters: Caroline Cheetham and George Odling

Editor: Izzy Bougeard

Creative Director: Caroline Cheetham

Executive Producer: Lucy Vallance

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

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Caroline Cheetham and Jack Hardy are back with the very latest from Woolwich Crown Court in The Trial of Daniel Khalife.

In this episode we hear about the moment Daniel Khalife allegedly strapped himself to the underside of a food truck to break out of prison. The prosecution continue their arguments that he was actively engaged in securing confidential information and supplying this to Iran, an ‘enemy state’. We learn more about Khalife’s ambitions to work in military intelligence, his interaction with Iranian agents and his contact with both MI5 and MI6.

Welcome to Episode 2: The 'Triple Agent'

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Presenters: Caroline Cheetham and Jack Hardy

Editor: Izzy Bougeard

Creative Director: Caroline Cheetham

Executive Producer: Lucy Vallance

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A prisoner on the run. A four-day man-hunt. Espionage, foreign agents and enemy states…The Trial is back with a new series… In September of 2023, Daniel Khalife was discovered riding a bike along a north London canal by a plain clothed police officer after allegedly breaking out of HMP Wandsworth. He was found after four days of an intense nation-wide search led by the Metropolitan Police. The 23-year-old, former soldier is appearing at Woolwich Crown Court charged not only with this escape but also for exploiting his position in the British Army to pass intelligence to an “enemy state” - Iran. Join Caroline Cheetham and Jack Hardy for our very first episode, following day one in court of The Trial of Daniel Khalife. Follow us on instagram @thetrialpodEmail us [email protected]Whatsapp us +447796657512 (start your message with ‘Trial’) Presenters: Caroline Cheetham and Jack HardyEditor: Chelsey MooreCreative Director: Caroline CheethamExecutive Producer: Lucy Vallance A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. 

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In this episode Caroline and George hear evidence from the firearms officers who were on duty on the night of the shooting.

One told the jury he almost fired the shot himself because he was in fear for his life as the Audi revved its engine. Another said Martyn Blake was not angry or frustrated as has been alleged by the prosecution, and another said there were concerns there might be a shotgun inside the car. 

The prosecution say Martyn Blake exaggerated the threat level and should not have fired the shot which hit Chris Kaba in the head. 

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Presenters: Caroline Cheetham and George Odling

Editor: Alex Graham

Creative Director: Caroline Cheetham

Executive Producer: Lucy Vallance

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In the first episode of the Trial of Officer Blake, Caroline and George have the opening to the case at the Old Bailey, and the prosecutor's claims that firearms office Martyn Blake shot Chris Kaba in the head without justification.

We hear that Chris Kaba had been trying to escape from police in his Audi Q8, but that he posed no threat when he was shot. The car was stationary and he had his hands on the steering wheel.

He died from a single gunshot and Martyn Blake, whose codename was NX121, denies the charge of murder.

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Presenters: Caroline Cheetham and George Odling

Editor: Alex Graham

Creative Director: Caroline Cheetham

Executive Producer: Lucy Vallance

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

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