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At Earl's request, Reeves, from Croydon, in south London, got hold of a local acquaintance of his, Nii Mensah, who was clearly ready to carry out crimes for cash.

Uulu, 33, of Gibsons Hill, Southwark, was sentenced last month at Croydon Magistrates' Court and ordered to pay a fine of £114, abstain from alcohol for four months and complete 150 hours of community service.

Mr Patel died 15 days after he was attacked in Croydon on 21 February that year.

A "short and sharp reset" is required for Croydon Council to recover from poor performance and high debt levels, the minister for housing, communities and local government has announced.

McMahon said that failing to change course "would condemn Croydon's residents to a worsening position without an exit strategy" and he was "minded to" send in commissioners to run the council.