A fugitive from east London has been found guilty of murdering his ex-girlfriend’s bus driver father after being caught at Notting Hill Carnival.
Kamar Williams, 34, stabbed Derek Thomas, 55, as he the victim was walking home from work in Stoke Newington, Hackney last year.
After the “frenzied” attack on July 30, 2024, Williams, from the Isle of Dogs, Tower Hamlets, went on the run.
Williams had been spotted on August 3 when the Metropolitan Police acting on intelligence failed to stop a hired BMW on Westbourne Avenue in the Grove Park area of Lewisham, south London.
He was finally detained on August 26 after officers spotted him partying at Notting Hill Carnival in Kensington, west London.
On Monday, a jury at the Old Bailey found Williams guilty of murder and guilty of having a bladed article.
Cries of “yes” could be heard from the public gallery as the jury delivered the verdicts after deliberating for nearly 18 hours.
Judge Angela Rafferty KC adjourned sentencing until July 18 and remanded Williams into custody.
Anthony Orchard KC told jurors Williams had been looking for the victim’s daughter Carron Thomas on the night of the killing.
The court was told that Ms Thomas had received threatening and abusive text messages from Williams prior to the attack.
However, after failing to find Ms Thomas, Williams spotted Mr Thomas and got out of his van to launch the fatal stabbing.
The jury heard that Ms Thomas had called 999 twice in the hours before the tragedy.
Williams hunted for Mr Thomas or his daughter, but they were not at their home at the time.
As he drove off in his van, he spotted Mr Thomas walking near Stoke Newington Common at about 11pm.
Mr Orchard told the court: "Mr Thomas was struck by the knife on five occasions in different places in what was, you may think, a frenzied attack."
Defending, Williams claimed he had acted in self-defence after Mr Thomas produced a knife and only wanted to talk to him about Ms Thomas.
Following the guilty verdicts, Detective Inspector John Marriott, of Scotland Yard, said: “This was a brutal and premeditated attack on a much-loved father.
“Our thoughts remain with Derek’s family, who have shown immense strength throughout this ordeal.”
Mr Thomas’s family said in a statement: “Derek will be greatly missed by his family and friends, he was a dedicated family man and worked hard to provide for them. He was the life and soul of the family.”
“His passing has left a massive hole in the lives of his wife, children, grandchildren, family and all that knew him. He was greatly loved by all and will never be forgotten.”
