A man who tried to flee the UK after a fatal hit-and-run in east London has been found guilty of murder. Trevelle Rowland, 34, was arrested at Heathrow Airport after driving into and killing Fergany Mvuezolo in East Ham.
A Pattern of Violence with a Car as a Weapon
The court heard how Rowland used his Volkswagen Tiguan as a weapon following an argument outside a restaurant on Barking Road. The incident occurred at around 5.20am on March 24, 2024. After an initial disagreement, Rowland left the scene only to return and drive his car into the defenceless Mr Mvuezolo, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
This was not an isolated act. Ten months earlier, on May 29, 2023, Rowland had carried out a strikingly similar attack outside a pub in Barking. Following what police described as a 'trivial dispute' with security guards who asked him to remove a baseball cap, he drove into two men. One was thrown onto the bonnet, sustaining knee and ankle injuries.
The Hunt and Arrest at Heathrow
Following the fatal East Ham incident, a swift manhunt was launched. Witnesses identified Rowland as the driver. His car was later found impounded in Dartford, Kent. However, Rowland attempted to mislead officers, claiming at Dagenham police station that he had rented the vehicle to an associate and knew nothing of the Barking pub attack.
His lies unravelled as the investigation progressed. Police were able to swiftly connect him to the murder scene, partly through a restaurant receipt found on his person. This traditional, witness-focused police work allowed officers to apprehend him at Heathrow Airport later on March 24 as he tried to leave the country.
Verdict and Condemnation from Police
On Monday, January 12, 2026, at Inner London Crown Court, Trevelle Rowland of Cornelia Street, Islington, was convicted of murder, dangerous driving, and two counts of attempted grievous bodily harm. He is due to be sentenced on January 15.
Detective Inspector Aytac Necati, who led the investigation, labelled Rowland an "extremely dangerous man" and a "devious liar". In a statement, DI Necati said: "He used his car as a weapon against three men, one of whom tragically lost his life. Rowland has left a trail of destruction in his wake."
The detective also expressed sympathies to the family of Fergany Mvuezolo and to Rowland's two living victims, praising the work of officers who quickly identified the killer and prevented his escape.
