Man found guilty of murdering stranger in flat

A man who stabbed a stranger to death at a block of flats in a "senseless, brutal act of violence" has been convicted of murder.

Leon Douglas stabbed 40-year-old Khalid Marchoud in the abdomen at a ninth-floor flat in Tollgate Gardens in Maida Vale, north-west London, on the evening of 19 December.

Witnesses told his trial at Harrow Crown Court how 45-year-old Douglas demanded entry by shouting through a letterbox, and was immediately aggressive.

The Met Police said the killer tried to evade arrest by disposing of the clothes he had been wearing, dyeing his hair red and shaving his beard to alter his appearance. Douglas will be sentenced on Friday.

The nine-day trial, which concluded on Tuesday, heard how Douglas armed himself with a knife from the kitchen and became involved in an altercation with Marchoud, who was unknown to him.

Douglas, of Watford Way in Hendon, then fled the scene but was tracked down by police on 23 December at an address in Cricklewood.

During his arrest, he tried to escape by jumping out of a ground-floor window.

Det Insp Sarah Philippe, who led the investigation, said in a statement: "This was a senseless and brutal act of violence which resulted in the tragic death of Khalid Marchoud.

"Our thoughts remain with Khalid's family and loved ones, who continue to live with the devastating consequences of Douglas' actions."

She thanked the witnesses who came forward, adding that their help was "invaluable in helping us build the case that secured this conviction".

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