A 23-year-old man has been jailed following a fatal stabbing in south-west London.
Raekwon Hanniford-Brown was sentenced to life imprisonment – with a minimum term of 19 years – after he was convicted of murder at Croydon Crown Court on Friday, July 21.
Errol McKay, 49, was pronounced dead at the scene at a home in Trinity Crescent, Balham, after police were called to an incident around 1.15am on July 27, 2022.
The court heard how drug dealer Hanniford-Brown used to store drugs in the victim’s flat.
In return, Mr McKay would receive a free supply of crack cocaine from the dealer.
At around 1am on July 27, 2022, Hanniford-Brown entered the flat on Trinity Crescent with his own set of keys.
An argument broke out between the pair over the keys used to get into the flat. This led to a physical fight that ended with victim sustaining fatal wounds.
Hanniford-Brown then moved the safe where he stored his drugs, left the scene on a bicycle, disposed of the knife and attempted to leave the country.
A friend of Mr McKay was at the flat at the time of the stabbing called an ambulance and put pressure on the wounds.
Paramedics attended the scene but despite their efforts, Mr McKay sadly died at the scene.
Hanniford-Brown was later arrested at Gatwick Airport as he attempted to flee the UK for Paris.
Detective Chief Inspector Laura Semple, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “I am pleased that this dangerous, violent individual will pay the penalty for his actions.
“My thoughts are with Errol’s family. I hope they can now find a measure of closure knowing that justice has been served.”
She added: “Hanniford-Brown claimed that he acted in self-defence and that he suffered with PTSD and a phobia of knives, he also said that if it wasn’t self-defence, he at least hadn’t intended to cause Errol serious harm.
“However, the severity of the wounds he inflicted, the mobile phone data and the steps he took to distance himself from the incident, indicated otherwise.
“The attack on Errol was one of extreme brutality – he was stabbed 24 times causing catastrophic injuries to his head and neck – inflicting wounds of that nature is indicative of a frenzied attack, not self-defence.”
A spokesperson for the victim’s family, said: “Errol was the youngest of nine children, the baby of the family. He was a loving son, brother, uncle and nephew. Errol was humble, funny and affectionate. A kind-hearted man who prioritised family.
“He extended his love and kindness beyond family; to friends and people in society who needed support. It was impossible to dislike Errol and as a result, he had many friends who loved him as he loved them. Errol’s door was always open.
“This man took Errol’s life then tried to run away. Some of us have been able to forgive, others have not, cannot and will not.
“Errol was taken from us too soon but leaves behind a legacy of love.”
