A man has been convicted of murder after a fatal stabbing in Ealing.
Timothy Simon, 59, was found guilty of murdering Wayne Phillips following a trial at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday.
Simon has been remanded to appear at the same court for sentencing on April 5.
Police rushed to Uxbridge Road following reports that a man had been stabbed inside a pub on Saturday July 23, 2022.
Officers found 58-year-old Mr Phillips with a stab wound to his heart.
Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Detective Neil Rawlinson said: “This was a senseless murder that was committed for no other reason than insecurity.
“Timothy Simon’s actions have left Wayne Phillips’s loved ones devastated and even now, almost a year on, they continue to struggle to come to terms with their loss. Our thoughts are with them today.”
He added: “The entire encounter was captured on CCTV and although Simon maintained at trial that the folding knife was not his, he could be seen initially making a stabbing movement with his right hand, before extending the blade and using it to stab Mr Phillips.
“I am pleased that the right verdict was reached and that Wayne Phillips’ loved ones may find a small measure of comfort in knowing that the man who took Wayne from them has been held to account.”
Police enquiries into the incident established that Mr Phillips and two female companions had arrived at the pub for a birthday party.
They brought presents from their car before entering the pub and greeting people near the entrance.
Simon approached Mr Phillips and stabbed him in the chest following a fight between the pair a few minutes later.
Simon fled the scene but was arrested and charged with murder the next day.
The defendant and the victim were known to each other but their relationship was not a friendly one.
This was largely due to the defendant having previously been in a relationship with Wayne’s long term partner – a situation that Simon could not accept.
