Murderers went to pub after stabbing man to death

Two killers who went to the pub for a pint after stabbing their victim to death in Croydon, south London, have been found guilty of murder.

David Walcott, 35, and Rammon Mali, 33, were convicted following a five week trial at the Old Bailey, of stabbing 22-year-old Rijkaard Siafa to death in April last year.

Walcott was also found guilty of having an article with a blade or point.

The court heard how the defendants chased Mr Siafa down an alleyway in front of a crowded marketplace and stabbed him at least 13 times. A third alleged attacker is still wanted by police.

CCTV was played to the jury showing Walcott and Mali together with a third man searching the streets before the attack.

The group was then filmed heading towards a covered passageway called Fellmongers Yard where they come across their victim, Mr Siafa.

Prosecution barrister Anthony Orchard KC said Mr Siafa "immediately turned and ran", heading back in the direction he came from, with the two defendants and their companion giving chase.

Just 20 seconds later the three were filmed running out of the yard in front of a crowd who had gathered in Surrey Street, where a fruit and vegetable market was being held.

Walcott appeared to be holding a knife in his hand, the jury heard.

A street cleaner at the market, Andrea Xhika, gave evidence saying he had seen Mr Siafa on the ground trying to protect himself as one attacker stabbed him twice to the chest, before seeing the crowd and running off.

Mr Xhika said the stabber appeared to be the tallest of the three attackers - the prosecution alleged this was Mali.

The eyewitness said he tried to provide first aid to Mr Siafa until the emergency services arrived, but he died at the scene from his injuries.

The two defendants and the third man then headed to the Spread Eagle pub where they ordered pints of Guinness and rang for a cab, before leaving through the beer garden without finishing their drinks, the court heard.

When Walcott was later arrested in south-west London he told police: "I'm not a murderer bro, I didn't kill nobody."

Mali, who left the country, was arrested on his return at Gatwick airport.

Both defendants admitted being at the scene of the attack but denied being involved in the stabbing - with Walcott claiming he had only come across a knife in the passageway where the attack took place.

Walcott, of Norbury, and Mali, of Croydon, will be sentenced later.

The alleged attacker still being sought by police has been named by Met officers as Jordan Vincent.

The force has offered a reward of up to £10,000 for information that leads to the arrest and charge of Mr Vincent.