A man who stabbed a talented footballer to death during an “unprovoked and senseless” attack in a south London car park has been jailed for life.
Earl Morin-Briton, 36, knifed 32-year-old Theo Porteous multiple times on Thessaly Road, Nine Elms close to Battersea Power Station.
Mr Porteous was in a car near a block of flats when Morin-Briton approached and spoke through the open driver’s window.
The victim got out of his vehicle and was immediately confronted by the thug who pulled a knife from his shorts and stabbed him three times in the face, neck and back.
Members of the public witnessed the attack and rushed to Mr Porteous’s aid once Morin-Briton had left the scene.
Despite the best efforts of passers-by, Metropolitan Police officers and the London Ambulance Service, he sadly died from his injuries 30 minutes later at around 12.35pm on August 24, 2023.
Former team-mates of Mr Porteous at Old Thorntonians FC in Putney Vale and a side in Earlsfield paid tribute after his death by wearing black armbands and observing a minute’s applause before their matches.
Morin-Briton was caught after police released a CCTV image of a man they wanted to speak to in connection with the killing.
At Kingston Crown Court, the defendant, of Rosehill, Sutton was found guilty of murder and possession of a knife following a trial.
On Monday, a judge jailed him to life with a minimum of 27 years.
Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley from Specialist Crime South, who led the investigation, said: “My thoughts remain with Theo’s family and friends who have had to sit in court and re-live the devastating events of that day.
“Nothing will ever bring Theo back to them but I do hope this outcome will give them some sense of closure.
“Morin-Briton murdered Theo in an unprovoked and senseless attack in broad daylight.
“Theo was simply sitting in his car when Morin-Briton approached him, saying something which caused Theo to get out of the vehicle.
“What he was tragically unaware of was that the defendant had in his possession a large knife which he then used to stab Theo numerous times.
“Our investigation combined solid detective work with crucial CCTV evidence - enabling us to get justice for Theo’s family and take a very dangerous individual off the streets.”
