Police are renewing appeals for information a year on from the unsolved murder of a minicab driver.

Abdi Gutale was shot and killed on the junction of Melbourne Road and Capworth Street, Leyton, in the early hours of the morning on Saturday, May 14 last year.

Shots were fired at the Vauxhall Zafira the 24-year-old was driving, before he reversed the vehicle in a bid to escape the scene, crashing into a parked car.

Police arrived at the incident to find the driver behind the wheel of the car suffering from gunshot wounds. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Gutale, of Leytonstone, had taken the part-time job as a minicab driver in order to pay his way through university.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

The shooting, which took place in Leyton in May last year, remains unsolved

Five men, aged between 19 and 25 years, were initially arrested in connection with the shooting. However, all were later released with no further action.

There have since been no further arrests or charged made in connection with the murder of Mr Gutale.

DCI Andrew Packer, of The Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command said: "A year has now passed and we still need to speak to anyone who has information about this incident.

"Were you in the vicinity of Melborne Road or Capworth Street in the early hours of the May 14 last year?

"Even if you don't think what you know is of huge importance, please come forward and help us progress this investigation."

  • Anyone with information is asked to contact the Met incident room on: 0208 345 3865 or Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555 111.