Every third day, in our #EveryThreeDays campaign, I write about a woman killed by a man. Previously in this campaign, which started on May 2nd 2021, I have remembered 123 women, the last being Sandra Thomas.
Today we remember Vanessa James.
Herts Live reported in June 2018:
A man has been convicted of brutally murdering a young mother from Enfield. Tre Cameron, 22, of Lower Clapton Road, Hackney, was found guilty today (Wednesday, June 13), of the fatal stabbing of Vanessa James. The court heard how police were called to Vanessa’s flat in Curlew House, Ponders End at around 6.40 am on July 20th, 2017.
At the scene, officers found 24-year-old Vanessa, who had been stabbed 26 times. Despite the efforts of police officers and ambulance staff, Vanessa was pronounced dead at the scene. A subsequent post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as stab wounds to the neck and abdomen. Tre Cameron threatened officers at the scene, and a Taser had to be used in order to arrest him. He was taken to the hospital for treatment for a self-inflicted injury to his hand. Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command investigated the killing. It was established that Cameron has consumed quantities of alcohol, cocaine and cannabis – factors which formed the basis of his defence against a charge of murder.
He was charged with Vanessa’s murder and appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on 31 August 2017, the day after his release from the hospital for treatment to a hand injury.
Detective Sergeant Perry Benton, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “Vanessa had met Tre Cameron only two weeks prior to the incident and allowed him to stay at her flat, along with her two-year-old daughter. “He abused her trust, consuming a quantity of drink and drugs before he began a frenzied attack upon her. He pleaded not guilty to murder on the basis that he was suffering from a personality disorder and it was the disorder, drink and drugs that had caused him to lose control with such horrific consequences.
“Such a brutal killing is inexcusable – and so is the reckless substance abuse that proved to be the catalyst for this tragedy. “I am pleased that the jury have seen through his cowardly defence. The court heard evidence Tre Cameron was dealing drugs and he has shown no remorse throughout the trial. This incident was witnessed by Vanessa’s cousin and the trial meant she was forced to relive those terrible events. “The James family have had to endure the graphic details of what had happened to Vanessa, but I hope this verdict provides some measure of comfort. I want to express my sincerest sympathy to Vanessa’s family for their tragic loss.
Vanessa James
#EveryThreeDays
