A man was appearing in court today charged with the murder of a market worker stabbed to death yards from a 30th birthday party.
Julio Gomes, 29, staggered to seek help from guests after being attacked near Old Edmontonians FC clubhouse in Edmonton at 8.10pm on Saturday. He died at the scene.
Lucas Siemienowicz, 39, of Croyland Road, Edmonton, appeared at Highbury Corner magistrates’ court accused of murder and possessing an offensive weapon.
Friends of Mr Gomes, known as Jimmy, said he had worked as a cleaner at Edmonton Green Market for nearly 10 years, sending money to his mother in Portugal to pay her medical bills.
Born in the West African country of Guinea-Bissau, he was the 107th person killed in the capital this year.
Last night friends gathered at a memorial in the market to light candles and lay flowers.
Kris Archer, 39, told the Standard: “Jimmy wouldn’t ever do anything to hurt anyone. He wasn’t involved in gangs, or drugs, or anything like that. Sometimes bad things happen to good people.”
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Considine urged guests to speak to police.
He said: “The incident is not believed to be connected to the event, or the clubhouse, but would have been seen by a number of people.
"I know that several brave members of the public assisted in detaining the suspect after this horrific incident until police arrived.
“I am asking those people to please come forward and speak to us. Their information will be invaluable.”
Anyone with information should call the police on 020 8345 3865 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
