Farnham Royal man, 26, found with knife during search for M40 crash suspect

A rapper who was found with a pocket knife while police were searching for those involved in a fatal car crash on the M40 has been jailed.

In the early hours of Saturday morning, officers were called to a crash between a black Volkswagen Golf and a blue Mercedes AMG C250 near to Junction 2 (Beaconsfield Interchange) of the M40.

The driver of the Golf, a man aged in his 20s, died at the scene and police carried out a search to find the other driver who was involved in the crash. A suspect, Trad Almaghrabi, has since been charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

During the search, officers located Jyrelle O’Connor, of Blackpond Lane, Farnham Royal, nearby to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Beaconsfield.

The 26-year-old attempted to flee from the officers but they managed to arrest him after a struggle.

O’Connor was found to be in possession of a folding pocket-knife with a blade measuring more than 7.5cm.

Police charged O’Connor, who is known for his music as a drill rapper, with one count of knife possession and one count of obstructing a constable in execution of their duty.

The Farnham Royal man pleaded guilty at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court on Monday and received a prison sentence of eight months.

He was also recalled to prison having been released on licence in 2024 for a previous firearms offence.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Ed Crofts of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “O’Connor was located while officers were searching for those involved in a fatal road traffic collision on the M40.

“He attempted to make off from officers, and resisted arrest when the knife was located.

“He was arrested and charged within 24 hours and has now been jailed for the offence.

“He was also recalled to prison for breaching his licence conditions for an earlier offence, and I am pleased he is back behind bars where he belongs.

“We will never tolerate anybody carrying dangerous weapons in our community and will seek to bring to justice those that do so.”

Almaghrabi, 23, of Harlington Road, Uxbridge, has been charged with one count of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving in connection with the incident.