Discarded cigarettes have helped convict a murderer after a father was stabbed to death in Croydon just days before Christmas.
Michael Patrick Afonso Peixoto, 27, was found with fatal stab wounds in Mayfield Crescent in Thornton Heath at roughly 10.30pm on December 19 last year.
Detectives discovered that a group of men had arrived at Mayfield Crescent and waited in a white BMW for around 30 minutes before Mr Peixoto and a friend arrived in a Vauxhall Grandland.
When Mr Peixoto got out of the car he was confronted by a man holding a large knife and was stabbed multiple times including in the chest, as he attempted to get back into the vehicle.
The suspects then threatened his friend with a knife and forced her out of the car, before stealing it. The car was located abandoned nearby.
During a search of the area where Mr Peixoto died, officers found cigarette butts on the floor, near where the BMW was parked.
Forensics found they were matched to Zak Baako, 29, John Budal, 20, and Omari Peat, 23.
All three were arrested and charged with murder and robbery within a month.
Following a four-week trial at the Old Bailey Baako was found guilty of murder on Friday.
Meanwhile, Budal was found not guilty of murder, and guilty of manslaughter and robbery.
Peat was found not guilty of murder or manslaughter but guilty of robbery.
All three men will appear at the Old Bailey on January 13 for sentencing.
Detective Inspector Martin Thorpe said: “Zak Baako arrived that day, armed with a knife and was prepared to use it against Michael Afonso Peixoto.
“It’s been just over a year since Michael was killed, leaving his family including his young son devastated.
“Whilst this Christmas will be no easier than the last for his family, I hope that this result allows them to start moving forward.”
