Brutal Murders of French Students Expose Ugly Facet of London's Underbelly

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community, two French students, Gabriel Ferez and Laurent Bonomo, were brutally murdered by burglars demanding their security numbers in a harrowing incident that has exposed the ugly underbelly of London's crime scene. The victims, both 23-year-old science postgraduates, were awoken by the burglars at 5.30am and held for over two hours before being stabbed to death. The burglars, Dano Sonnex and Nigel Farmer, allegedly tortured the men into revealing their PIN numbers, with Sonnex managing to withdraw £360 from Mr Bonomo's account before the cash machine swallowed Mr Ferez's card, supposedly sealing the fate of the students.

Key Takeaways:

• The victims, Gabriel Ferez and Laurent Bonomo, were tortured and murdered by burglars demanding their security numbers in a London flat.
• The perpetrators, Dano Sonnex and Nigel Farmer, had a history of violence, with Sonnex having stabbed a youth three times at 16 and later pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and robbery charges.
• Sonnex had previously attacked his foster sister, Louise Shine, and her boyfriend, Robert Ssentongo, four months before the murders.
• Farmer had used drugs for many years and had a history of violent behavior, including a conviction for armed robbery in 1996.
• The case highlights the devastating consequences of addiction and extreme violence, with Farmer's drug habit worsening after splitting from his girlfriend in October 2007.
• The trial continues, with Sonnex and Farmer denying charges of murder, false imprisonment, and arson.

Statistics:

• £360: The amount Sonnex managed to withdraw from Mr Bonomo's account before the cash machine swallowed Mr Ferez's card.
• 194: The number of times Mr Bonomo was stabbed.
• 50: The number of times Mr Ferez was stabbed.
• 2.5 hours: The length of time the victims were held captive by the burglars.

Sources:

• "David Brown: Two French students 'tortured to death by burglars for bank card PIN numbers'" (The Times, 2008)
• "French students, 23, 'tortured to death by burglars in London flat'" (The Telegraph, 2008)
• "Man accused of being involved in torture and murder of French students at New Cross flat" (Kent Online, 2008)