News / International
Zim man murdered in UK love rivalry stabbing
10 May 2013 at 10:28hrs | Views
LONDON - A man has been jailed for murdering a Zimbabwean "peacemaker" and attempting to murder a love rival at a south-east London flat.
Delaney Barnett, 27, of Baring Road, Grove Park stabbed Harold Muzeremwi, 20, to death and wounded Nash Leigh Walsh-Drew, 25 with a knife.
Woolwich Crown Court heard he stabbed the men after finding his ex-girlfriend watching TV with Mr Walsh-Drew.
He was found guilty and jailed for a minimum of 20 years for murder and 14 years for attempted murder.
The sentences will run concurrently, the judge ruled at Tuesday's sentencing.
The court heard that the two men were stabbed at a flat in Kingsley Wood Drive, Mottingham, on 20 October after Barnett had gone to his former girlfriend's flat and found her watching television in a bedroom with Mr Walsh-Drew.
'Path of pain'
Barnett then went to the kitchen and returned with two knives, the jury was told.
Mr Muzeremwi, who was in the lounge, heard commotion and went to protect his friend but was fatally wounded.
He died at the scene after his pulmonary artery was severed. Mr Walsh-Drew was taken to hospital with knife injuries to his front and back, but he has since recovered.
Murderer: Barnett handed himself in but later pleaded not guilty
In a statement, released after sentencing, Mr Muzeremwi's family said: "It was only because he tried to be a peacemaker that he consequently paid the ultimate price.
"Nothing and no one can bring my son back but justice has been served and Delaney Barnett will make no other parent walk down a lifelong path of pain as I will."
The Metropolitan Police said that Barnett "surrendered himself" on the night of the stabbings at Lewisham Police Station and was subsequently charged, but he later pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Delaney Barnett, 27, of Baring Road, Grove Park stabbed Harold Muzeremwi, 20, to death and wounded Nash Leigh Walsh-Drew, 25 with a knife.
Woolwich Crown Court heard he stabbed the men after finding his ex-girlfriend watching TV with Mr Walsh-Drew.
He was found guilty and jailed for a minimum of 20 years for murder and 14 years for attempted murder.
The sentences will run concurrently, the judge ruled at Tuesday's sentencing.
The court heard that the two men were stabbed at a flat in Kingsley Wood Drive, Mottingham, on 20 October after Barnett had gone to his former girlfriend's flat and found her watching television in a bedroom with Mr Walsh-Drew.
Barnett then went to the kitchen and returned with two knives, the jury was told.
Mr Muzeremwi, who was in the lounge, heard commotion and went to protect his friend but was fatally wounded.
He died at the scene after his pulmonary artery was severed. Mr Walsh-Drew was taken to hospital with knife injuries to his front and back, but he has since recovered.
Murderer: Barnett handed himself in but later pleaded not guilty
In a statement, released after sentencing, Mr Muzeremwi's family said: "It was only because he tried to be a peacemaker that he consequently paid the ultimate price.
"Nothing and no one can bring my son back but justice has been served and Delaney Barnett will make no other parent walk down a lifelong path of pain as I will."
The Metropolitan Police said that Barnett "surrendered himself" on the night of the stabbings at Lewisham Police Station and was subsequently charged, but he later pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Source - BBC
