A MURDER suspect who claimed he acted in self-defence was caught out by CCTV and forensic evidence.
Sufian Choudry was found guilty of the murder of 40-year-old Krzysztof Baran in Hayes following the conclusion of a trial at Isleworth Crown Court last week.
Choudry, 39, of no fixed address was sentenced to life with a minimum of 17 years at the same court today (24).
Det Sgt Andy Sheppard said: “This was a needless, brutal murder that Sufian Choudry initially tried to cover up and then later tried to blame on the victim, saying he had acted in self-defence.
“I am pleased the jury saw through the string of untruths e told in a bid to get away with murder.”
The court heard that at around 11am on Saturday, August 12, last year, police were called to reports of a man seriously injured at a multi-occupancy address in Nine Acres Close, off Bourne Avenue, Hayes.
Kryszstof was found in his room and had been dead for some time. There was also a significant amount of blood at the scene.
Choudry, who had called for the ambulance, was speaking with officers when they noticed small specks of blood on him.
He was arrested and later charged with murder.
A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as a stab wound. There was also bruising to the face.
Choudry claimed he had gone to the victim’s room that morning to check on him and to ask for a cigarette.
He claimed he didn’t know what had happened to Krzysztof. He later provided a statement to police via his solicitor claiming he had acted in self-defence.
CCTV recovered by officers at the address told a different story.
Choudry was seen in Krzysztof’s room on the evening of Friday, August 11, refusing to leave, despite the pleas of Krzysztof.
He assaulted Krzysztof by punching him in the side of his head. After the incident, Krzysztof told Choudry he was going to call the police.
After this, he followed Krzysztof into his room, and arguing and banging can be heard on the CCTV before a scream is heard. Choudry was seen leaving the room. In his right hand was a knife.
Choudry left the house shortly after and officers viewing CCTV footage could see he had with him a knife, which he then hid under his T-shirt.
He returned to the address a short while later and he was no longer carrying the knife. The murder weapon was never recovered.
Over the course of the night, Choudry disposed of evidence such as his clothing.
He returned to Krzysztof’s room before finally calling the London Ambulance Service.
Krzysztof’s former partner said: “Despite the fact I was not in a relationship with Krzysztof at the time of the incident, his murder is still an immense sadness, not only to me, but especially to our daughter.
“At just 12 years old, her father was murdered. After months of help and support, my daughter is often still upset, struggling to understand why someone would kill her father.
“[She] will never be the same happy girl with a huge smile on her face.”
Det Sgt Sheppard added: “My thoughts are with Krzysztof’s family. I hope the end of the trial and the guilty verdict brings them a measure of comfort.”
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