It was a warm summer’s night as revellers spilled out of bars and clubs in Oldham town centre.
Paulo Da Silva, 48, stood outside the Portuguese restaurant, Kilombo, smoking a cigarette, watching the world go by.
Nearby, donning a hoodie to hide his easily recognisable hair and collecting a large kitchen knife from his car, Rudi Cardoso had revenge on his mind.
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Weeks earlier there had been a fight which left Cardoso, 32, with a nasty cut to his eye. As the days ticked by, his need for retaliation grew - resulting in a brutal murder in the middle of the street.
Giving evidence, Cardoso told Minshull Street Crown Court that he was in ‘fear for my life’, claiming that Mr Da Silva was a ‘gangster’ after the pair had met a month earlier in a violent confrontation.
After leaving the Kilombo restaurant, they became embroiled in an argument, which he claimed was started by Mr Da Silva.
A scuffle ensued, with both Cardoso and Mr Da Silva throwing punches. At one stage Mr Da Silva was seen with a broken bottle and told Cardoso: “Do you know who I am? I run Oldham.”
It was unclear if this was bravado or something more sinister, a judge concluded. But, following the fight, Cardoso was left with a diagonal cut to his right eyebrow and a resulting scar.
What is clear, however, is that Cardoso’s anger grew into resentment.
Days before the killing, he bought a large kitchen knife from a corner shop and left it on the backseat of his car.
The night of the incident, on May 28 this year, he had been drinking with friends before driving into Oldham town centre. Putting on his hoodie and pulling the hood up, he was seen on CCTV checking the area before removing it and going into the Envy nightclub.
Later, at around 4am, he went to go into the Kilombo restaurant, but was met by Mr Da Silva who was stood smoking at the front door.
A brief exchange of words followed before he immediately went to his car, shoved his hoodie back on, grabbed the knife, and marched towards Mr Da Silva, in what prosecutors said was an attempt to disguise his appearance. Minutes later, he stabbed him in the neck and chest, severing an artery and puncturing one of his lungs.
Cardoso then fled and drove to Ipswich, Suffolk, where his former partner lived. Mr Da Silva was left bleeding out on the street before he died in hospital just hours later.
A pathologist explained that the main wound to the chest would have required ‘severe force’.
Cardoso was arrested the next day, but provided no comment in his police interview. At trial, he claimed he had post traumatic stress disorder from the previous fight, and claimed he had ‘no memory’ of killing Mr Da Silva.
But, jurors saw through his lies and convicted him of murder.
"He has not just destroyed Paulo’s life, but he has destroyed my family’s life as well"
In an emotional victim personal statement, Mr Da Silva’s father, Jose Da Silva Jnr, said his eldest son was a huge support to the family, and was due to get married next year.
“He used to joke that he would be rich one day. Unfortunately this killer ended Paulo’s dreams,” he said.
“We used to speak everyday. Our whole family is suffering. It’s not right that I should have to bury my son. He has not just destroyed Paulo’s life, but he has destroyed my family’s life as well.”
His fiance, Ana, said: “Losing Paulo has affected me a lot, I can’t accept moving on without him. Living on my own is really hard, I can’t stop crying and I feel constantly sad. My world has stopped. I can’t believe he is no longer here.”
Prosecuting, Hayley Bennett said: “The defendant gave evidence that he was acting in lawful self defence and set out to play victim.
“He alleged Mr Da Silva was an aggressive gangster acting out of toxic masculinity.
“He was murdered and left with nine wounds, the most serious of which to his forearm, neck, chest and armpit. He died from a haemorrhage, from a combination of injuries. Blood in the airways, a collapsed right lung, he died in the street surrounded by strangers.”
Following a week-long trial, jurors found Cardoso guilty of murder.
Jailing him for life with a minimum term of 24 years in prison, Mrs Justice Amanda Yip said: “Almost instantly, before any threat to you developed, you attacked Mr Da Silva with a knife and he was left with multiple wounds.
“Giving evidence, whilst you painted yourself as a victim acting in self defence, it’s apparent you do regret what happened.”
“I am sure you found the murderous intent by the time you went back to your car and took that weapon. You had plenty of opportunities to remove yourself from any threat.”
As Cardoso, of Alma Road, Rochdale, was led down to the cells, rapturous applause filled the courtroom, and members of Mr Da Silva’s family shouted: “It’s a sin” and “Sinner”.
"Cardoso carried out a vicious and violent attack on Mr Da Silva, who had no chance to defend himself"
Detective Inspector Lee Shaw, of GMPs Major Incident Team, said: “This was a horrific attack on Mr Da Silva, resulting in him receiving seven stab wounds. The level of violence used by Cardoso shows that he is clearly a dangerous man and we are relieved that he has finally faced justice and will be spending a considerable amount of time in prison.
“This investigation was incredibly fast paced and our team of officers and staff leapt into action as soon as the incident occurred, and by utilising mobile phone tracking, we were able to quickly locate and detain Cardoso and bring him into custody.
“Our thoughts are very much with Mr Da Silva’s family and friends and we hope that today’s result brings some form of closure for them”.
Darren Smith, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West said: ”Viegas Cardoso carried out a vicious and violent attack on Mr Da Silva, who had no chance to defend himself.
“Cardoso then attempted to disguise himself and left the Greater Manchester area in an attempt to evade arrest.
“The Crown Prosecution Service worked with Greater Manchester Police to build a strong case against him, including CCTV footage, phone location data and forensic evidence.
“Nothing can make up for the loss of Paulo Da Silva. I can only hope that his family and friends can find some comfort in knowing the man responsible has been brought to justice; my thoughts remain with them at this time.”
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