A man has been jailed after fatally stabbing his friend 14 times following an argument in a pub.
Christopher Baptiste, 54, killed Sonny Booty, 36, with a 16inch (40cm) carving knife at the house where they lived in Lewisham on August 13 last year.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment – with a minimum term of 18 years – after being found guilty of murder at the Old Bailey on Friday.
The court heard that the two men had a “volatile” relationship and had spent that evening drinking and playing pool at the Anchor pub.
Just after 10.30pm an argument broke out and the pair were asked to leave by the landlady, jurors were told.
Later, neighbours near their home in Loampit Vale allegedly heard voices saying “Shut your mouth before I kill you” and “Stop it”.
A housemate who had been watching television and listening to music in an upstairs flat was alerted by Baptiste hammering on his door, the court heard.
Baptiste said he had a “tear up” with Mr Booty after he had shown him up at the pub in front of other people, demanding drinks, it was claimed.
He allegedly confided that “it was really naughty what I done” and he was “going to get bird this time”.
He also called friends and allegedly told one: “I’ve killed my flatmate. This had been brewing for a while.”
Just before 9am on August 14, Baptiste walked into Lewisham police station and said: “I’ve murdered my flatmate,” the court heard.
The officer on reception replied: “I beg your pardon?”
Baptiste allegedly said: “I think I’ve murdered him, my flatmate. There was a knife being waved around and I’ve got cuts on my hands.”
Discussing the impact her son’s murder has had on his family, Sonny’s mother Kim Booty said: “No mother should ever have to go and identify their child in a mortuary. The impact of all this has left me suffering with extreme anxiety and having regular panic attacks. I feel like my whole family have all been given a life sentence.
“I physically find it so hard to function every day and feel so vulnerable. I have family around me, but I also feel very alone. I have not slept the same since that day and I often wake up thinking about Sonny. “This has also had a profound effect on Sonny’s children. They are all very scared all of the time. No child should have to deal with the death of their parent, much less a death in this horrific way. “Sonny’s death has such an impact on so many people and so many events. “He will be missed forever.”
Detective Neil John, Specialist Crime North, said:“My thoughts today are with Sonny’s family and loved ones. I have seen first-hand the impact his brutal murder has had on them, and know this is something they will never get over. Hopefully seeing the man responsible held to account will be of some comfort to them.
“Only Baptiste will ever know exactly what transpired that night when he and Sonny returned home, but it’s clear from Sonny’s wounds that Baptiste was not acting in self-defence as he tried to claim. Rather, he has lashed out at the victim following a disagreement over what most people would consider to be a minor issue.
“The pair were believed to be prone to arguments, but in this case there were devastating consequences which have ruined the lives of many.”
