Bernard Fowler

Bernard Fowler, an 87-year-old retired mechanic and quiet community-minded man from Harold Wood in east London, was killed in a random, unprovoked attack outside Harold Wood railway station in the early hours of 27 February 2024.

He had gone there, as he often did to collect free newspapers for local residents.

Sekai Miles, from Brent Cross in Hendon, approached him around 4 a.m., tried to gouge out his eyes, hit him over the head 19 times with Fowler’s own walking stick, stamped on his head eight times, and later returned to stand over the body in a “triumphant stance.” Fowler died at the scene from severe head injuries.

Sekai, who had paranoid schizophrenia (and a history of mental-health issues, trauma, and past use of the synthetic drug Spice), had threatened station staff earlier that night. He denied murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility (plus assaulting a police officer).

In April 2025 he was given an indefinite hospital order with restrictions and sent to Broadmoor secure psychiatric hospital, where he is expected to remain for years.

Rest in peace Bernard. You will not be forgotten.