A man who dyed his hair red and shaved off his beard in an attempt to evade police has been found guilty of murdering a man he had never met before in Kilburn.
Leon Douglas, 45, of Watford Way, Hendon, was convicted on Tuesday, 10 November, after a nine-day trial at Harrow Crown Court. He had denied murdering 40-year-old Khalid Marchoud, who died after being stabbed at a block of flats in Tollgate Gardens, Kilburn, in December last year.
The jury’s verdict brings to an end a case that began with a call to police on a Friday evening just before Christmas and ended, four days later, with Douglas being arrested at an address in Cricklewood after trying to escape through a window.
Police were called at around 9.40pm on Friday, 19 December, after multiple reports of a stabbing at the flats in Tollgate Gardens, NW6. Officers found Mr Marchoud collapsed outside a flat on the ninth floor with a significant stab wound to his abdomen. He was taken to St Mary’s Hospital but was pronounced dead later that evening.
In court, witnesses described how Douglas had arrived at the address to visit a former housemate. He shouted through the letterbox, demanding to be let in, and once inside he immediately became aggressive and armed himself with a knife from the kitchen.
He then became involved in an altercation with Mr Marchoud, who was unknown to him, before following him out of the property and stabbing him.
After the attack, Douglas ran to the second floor using the stairwell, where he threw the knife from a window. He then climbed onto the roof of the entrance building and jumped to the ground, before calmly making his way towards Kilburn High Road.
Detectives pieced together his movements using CCTV, intelligence and phone enquiries. Footage later showed him returning to a property, where he changed his clothing, before heading to a local pub where he spent the evening with friends.
Over the next couple of days, Douglas disposed of the clothes he had been wearing during the incident, shaved his beard and dyed his hair red, all in an effort to evade police, who had launched a manhunt to trace him.
He was located on Tuesday, 23 December, at an address in Cricklewood. During his arrest he tried to escape by jumping out of a ground-floor window at the rear of the property, but was met by officers who swiftly detained him. He was taken into custody and charged with murder on Christmas Eve.
Detective Inspector Sarah Philippe, who led the investigation, said: “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 added: “I would like to thank the witnesses who came forward and supported our investigation. Their assistance was invaluable in helping us build the case that secured this conviction.”
“Today’s verdict reflects the strength of evidence presented to the court and demonstrates our determination to pursue those responsible for serious violence and bring them to justice,” she said.
The Metropolitan Police, which described the killing as a cold-blooded murder, said officers had tracked Douglas painstakingly after the incident despite his attempts to alter his appearance.
The police release announcing the conviction does not give a date for sentencing. Murder carries a mandatory life sentence in England and Wales, with the sentencing judge setting the minimum term that must be served before parole can be considered.
Detectives are continuing to appeal for information in other murder investigations across London, including the appeal to trace Musa Sillah in connection with the death of Rohan Trotman in Peckham. Anyone with information about a crime can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
