Retrial for babershop ‘killer’

A man accused of stabbing a record label boss to death with a Swiss Army knife during a barbershop brawl will now face a retrial in January.

Anthony Allen, 34, is charged with murdering Crispin Siddon, 34, in front of horrified customers and staff at Cutz Barbers in Harlesden, northwest London, on 5 May.

Mr Siddon, a rapper known as ‘Skeng’ who co-owned GB Records with hip hop star Corleone, suffered a fatal stab wound which penetrated the left lung and heart and later died in hospital.

Allen claimed he was acting in self defence after being punched in the face by the victim without warning.

He said he picked up the Swiss Army knife on the floor of the barbershop and told jurors it was ‘pure chance’ he pulled out a blade rather than a corkscrew before he lashed out.

Jurors failed to reach a verdict following a trial at the Old Bailey last month on charges of murder and possession of a knife.

The Recorder of London, Nicholas Hilliard QC, had set the retrial for 6 November but the case will now be heard on January 8 for administrative reasons.

Allen, of Tillet Close, Neasden, northwest London, remains in custody.
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