A man who fatally stabbed a 35-year-old before calling police from a phone box to hand himself in has been convicted of murder.
Elyas Moussa, 30, of no fixed address, was found guilty of murdering Ricardo Clarke following a two week trial at the Old Bailey.
Detective Inspector Jonny Newell, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “Despite Moussa handing himself in, officers worked quickly to meticulously piece together what happened that night.
“The CCTV timeline, witness accounts and forensic evidence left no doubt that Moussa alone was responsible for Ricardo’s death.
“Today’s conviction brings justice for Ricardo’s family, who have shown incredible strength throughout the proceedings.”
Police were called to reports of a stabbing in Linacre Road, Willesden Green at around 4am on December 28 2024.
Officers attended the scene and provided first aid to Ricardo before the London Ambulance Service arrived. The 35-year-old died from his injuries on the way to hospital.
Footage shown to the jury during the trial revealed an altercation had taken place on Linacre Road between Ricardo and Moussa before the attack.
During this incident, glass bottles were thrown before they both went their separate ways.
Moussa returned to Linacre Road shortly after, armed with a knife, ready to confront Ricardo again.
Shortly after a further altercation took place, where Ricardo was fatally stabbed.
Later that same day, police received a call from Moussa stating he wanted to hand himself in.
He made the call from a phone box, miles away from the scene.
Moussa was arrested and charged with murder and possession of a bladed article on December 29 2024.
He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to possession of a pointed and bladed article in public on December 28 2024.
He will be sentenced at the same court on 17 December.
