Man convicted of murder over fatal stabbing in Kilburn block of flats

The Metropolitan Police says Leon Douglas, 45, of Watford Way, Hendon, was found guilty of murder on Tuesday 10 November following a nine-day trial at Harrow Crown Court. The victim was 40-year-old Khalid Marchoud.

Police say they were called at around 21.40 on Friday 19 December to a block of flats in Tollgate Gardens, NW6, after reports of a stabbing. Mr Marchoud was found collapsed outside a ninth-floor flat with a significant stab wound to his abdomen. He was taken to St Mary's Hospital and was pronounced dead later that evening.

The Met says witnesses told the court that Douglas went to the address to visit a former housemate and shouted through the letterbox demanding entry. Once inside, he became aggressive and took a knife from the kitchen. He then had an altercation with Mr Marchoud, who was unknown to him, and followed him out of the property and stabbed him, according to the evidence described by police.

Police say Douglas later changed his clothing and went to a local pub. Over the next couple of days he disposed of his clothes, shaved his beard and dyed his hair red. Detectives used CCTV, intelligence and phone enquiries to track him. He was found on Tuesday 23 December at an address in Cricklewood, where officers detained him after he tried to leave through a ground-floor window. He was charged with murder on Christmas Eve.

Detective Inspector Sarah Philippe, who led the investigation, thanked witnesses and said the thoughts of police remain with Mr Marchoud's family and loved ones.