A man who stabbed an “adored” father to death after a row over a taxi pick-up at a south-east London station has been convicted of manslaughter.
Tyreece Daley, 22, was stabbed multiple times by Dejon Anaughe, 28, in the car park of Beckenham Junction station on 2 April 2022.
Me Daley died in hospital on 25 April.
Anaughe, from Lewisham, was found guilty of manslaughter at Croydon Crown Court on Tuesday.
He had previously pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon and will be sentenced on 7 March.
The court heard how Mr Daley and his friends had been out celebrating a birthday in Beckenham and were finding their way home after the club had closed.
They ordered Ubers to the car park of Beckenham Junction station and around the time one of these was meant to be arriving, around 4.50am, Anaughe pulled up in a white Volkswagen Golf. Anaughe then got out of the vehicle.
Mistaking it for the taxi they’d ordered the victim and one of his friends approached the car from the back as if to get in it. A fight started and Anaughe took out a knife and inflicted fatal wounds on Mr Daley.
He suffered stab injuries to his head and heart and was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
Detectives traced the vehicle Anaughe was driving to another man who was arrested the day after the incident.
A trawl of the man’s phone showed he received a call from Anaughe minutes after the attack.
This led officers to Anaughe, who had shaved his beard and hair in an attempt to evade police for over a week. He was arrested at his home address on 10 April.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Langley said: “This was a horrific act of violence which claimed the life of a much loved young father, partner, son, and friend.
“Dejon Anaughe made the decision to take a knife out that night and use it in the most brutal of ways, and because of that Tyreece’s young daughter will now have to grow up without him.
“Officers worked relentlessly to identify Anaughe and bring him before the courts to face justice, and I hope Tyreece’s family, who we have been supporting throughout the investigation, are able to take some small comfort from the fact he’ll be spending the foreseeable future in prison.”
Mr Daley’s parents said in a statment: “Tyreece Daley, known as Ty to his family and friends, was our youngest child and only son. He was the youngest sibling to three older sisters. Tyreece was aged just 22 years when he died, he had his whole life to look forward to and he was so excited for the future.
“He was an adored partner and his daughter was just 6 months old when his life was cruelly and senselessly cut short. He also leaves behind a much-loved step-son. He lived and breathed football, especially his beloved Chelsea Football Club. He touched so many lives, he spoke his truth and it was from the heart.
“He lived his life with positivity and energy and those around often turned to him for advice. He was such a support and his loss has left a void that will never be filled.
“The pain we feel at his loss is almost unbearable. Life will never be the same and the world is a much emptier place without him. We miss him so very much.”
