A killer who fled abroad after a fatal stabbing in south London has finally been brought to justice following a two-year manhunt.
Ali Abdul Basit became the fourth man to be convicted over the death of 27-year-old Michael Patrick Afonso Peixoto, who was killed in Thornton Heath in 2023.
Basit escaped the UK in the immediate aftermath of the attack, travelling through Europe and the Middle East before reaching Pakistan, where he remained for months.
But detectives refused to give up on the case — and their persistence paid off when he returned to Britain and was arrested.
He appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday, 27 March, where he was convicted of manslaughter and robbery for his role in Michael’s death.
Detective Inspector Martin Thorpe, who led the investigation said: “After Michael’s violent murder, Basit immediately left the country and travelled to Dubai via Venice then Egypt, eventually arriving in Pakistan where he remained for months.
“Basit returned to the UK after the conviction of three other men in connection with Michael’s death, possibly on the false pretence that he has got away with his actions.
“What Basit didn’t know, is that our officers had compiled an extensive amount of evidence, including phone data which linked him to the other three convicted men at the time of the assault.
“After he was arrested, our officers were able to get his DNA from an asthma inhaler at his house which matched DNA found on a cigarette butt at the scene.”
“This case emphasises the Met’s persistent pursual for justice in making sure that anyone who carries out such violent actions is held accountable.”
The investigation began on 19 December 2023 after police were called to Mayfield Crescent in Thornton Heath at 22:30hrs to reports of a serious assault.
Officers found Michael on the ground suffering multiple stab wounds. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives established that a group of men had arrived earlier and were waiting in a white BMW for around half an hour. Michael later pulled up nearby in a Vauxhall Grandland with a friend.
As he got out of the vehicle, he was approached by a man armed with a large knife and stabbed repeatedly, including once in the chest, as he tried to get back inside the car.
The attackers then threatened his friend with a knife, forced her out of the vehicle and made off in it. The car was later discovered abandoned nearby.
During searches in the aftermath, officers recovered cigarette butts close to where the BMW had been parked.
Forensic testing linked the DNA on the cigarettes to three men who were later convicted.
Zak Baako, 30 (06.08.95) of no fixed address was found guilty of Michael’s murder at the Old Bailey on Friday, 20 December and later sentenced to a minimum of 28 years in prison.
John Budal, 20 (07.03.04) of Ena Road, Thornton Heath was also found guilty of manslaughter and robbery and Omari Peat, 23 (01.03.01) of Southampton Gardens, Mitcham was found guilty of robbery.
Basit had also been seen at the scene before the fatal attack, and officers remained determined to track him down.
After months abroad, he returned to the UK on 3 May 2025, where he was arrested and charged with murder.
Further forensic work strengthened the case, with Basit’s DNA also matching a cigarette butt recovered from the scene.
Following a three-week trial, Basit, 19 (05.8.2006) of Leicester Avenue, Mitcham was convicted of manslaughter and robbery.
He will appear at the Old Bailey on Friday, 22 May for sentencing.
