Current timestamp: 29/03/2023 14:03:36
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

Thanks for trying the 'beta' version of our new website. It's a work in progress, we'll be adding new services over the next few weeks, so please take a look and tell us what you think.

Get started

staffordshire-police-logo

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
    • Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP)
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Man jailed for 24 years after phone and DNA evidence link him to Stoke-on-Trent stabbing

Main article content

Navigation

News

12:04 09/02/2021

A man has been jailed for murder after phone and DNA evidence provided a link to a fatal stabbing in Stoke-on-Trent.

Alan Martyn, aged 45, of no fixed address, was jailed for 24 years and three months today (9 February) at Birmingham Crown Court.

He pleaded guilty to the murder of Anas Chergat in Etruria in August 2019, in a hearing on July 28.

His accomplice, Richard Street, aged 30, of no fixed address, was found guilty on 5 October of the murder of Anas, following a trial at Stafford Crown Court. Street will be sentenced at a later date.

The court heard that the men were observed on CCTV trying to dispose of mobile phones that linked them to the crime in a storm drain.

A charging cable at Mr Chergat’s house also bore DNA from Martyn.

Mr Chergat, 26, who was born in Morocco, had moved to the UK in 2014 and then from London onto Stoke-on-Trent.

Street, who was active in the supply of cannabis and owed approximately £5,000, was under pressure to repay debts and had partnered with Martyn shortly before the murder.

On 22 August 2019 Martyn visited Mr Chergat at his home address in Sandon Street. Martyn admitted to supplying cannabis to him with an expectation of payment at a later date.

At approximately 2pm Martyn and Street went to a local supermarket and bought a mobile phone which was kept by Martyn for use in dealing cannabis.

It is believed that during a visit later that evening an argument took place over the cannabis that had been supplied to Mr Chergat by Martyn.

Street left Martyn with Mr Chergat and sent a series of threatening text messages which were believed to be related to the cannabis deal. The texts are believed to have put further pressure on Martyn, who stabbed Anas Chergat.

On leaving the address Martyn took the victim’s mobile phones, leaving his DNA on a charging cable in the process.

At around 1.30am Street and Martyn were captured on CCTV disposing of the victim’s phones down a storm drain. These phones were subsequently recovered. Through meticulous work the detectives were able to link the phones involved and place the men at the scene.

Anas’s father, Youssef Chergat, paid tribute to his son. “I wanted to see justice done for my son. I now understand what happened to Anas. He was innocent and he could not defend himself as he would never carry a knife.

“I’m so sorry and so sad, but I am grateful to the people in Stoke-on-Trent who spoke up for Anas and who were prepared to be witnesses. They have helped to deliver justice for my son and I thank them for this.”


Detective Inspector Alan Lyford, of Staffordshire Police, said: “We are glad that Martyn and Street have now been convicted for the murder of Anas Chergat and hope this brings some comfort to his family who have had to deal with his loss.

“This was a complex case and detectives worked extremely hard with prosecutors to ensure justice was served. We’re grateful to those people who came forward to help us bring the case before the courts.”

Both had earlier pleaded guilty to supplying cannabis to Mr Chergat, for which Martyn received a concurrent sentence of nine months.


Martyn has already served 315 days of his sentence on remand.

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Staffordshire Police

  • Contact us
  • News
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Feedback

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police
  • Police and Crime Commissioner

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.