Former killer jailed for life for retail park stabbing

Tristan Burke was jailed for life at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday

A former killer has been jailed for life after stabbing a man outside of a gym during last year's festive period.

Tristan Burke, from Upper Arncott, stabbed a 37-year-old man at Bicester Shopping Park on 29 December 2024 - with one of the stab wounds millimetres from penetrating the victim's his heart.

On Thursday, Burke was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of seven years after being found guilty of wounding with intent during a trial at Oxford Crown Court earlier this year.

The 35-year-old had previously been jailed for 14 years after he admitted murdering 19-year-old Oliver Kingonzila outside a Croydon bar in September 2008.

Thames Valley Police (TVP) said Burke had stabbed his victim twice during the attack near the Bicester Retail Park's PureGym.

Det Insp James Holden-White, from TVP, said: "Burke inflicted very serious injuries on his victim in a ferocious and exceptionally violent attack, leaving him for dead in a retail park."

The attack took place near PureGym at Bicester Shopping Park

The force said the victim had "miraculously survived his injuries" thanks to the "incredible professionalism and quick work of medical professionals".

Following a "thorough investigation", police arrested Burke on 2 January this year, before being charged two days later.

"Tristan Burke is a violent individual, and whatever his reasons for this attack, there is absolutely no justification whatsoever for his actions," Det Insp Holden-White explained.

"He caused very significant harm to his victim, and showed little regard to him and I am pleased that Burke has now been held to account for his violent behaviour."

"I hope that the victim will continue on the road to recovery and put this ordeal behind him in the knowledge that Burke will now serve a very substantial prison sentence as a result of his actions," he added.

Burke had previously been jailed for killing promising teenage footballer Kingonzila in an argument over a girl in 2008.

The then-19-year-old Burke had used a knife hidden in a trainer to stab the former England youth player eight times, in what the Judge overseeing his Old Bailey trial described at the time as a "frenzied" and "indiscriminate" attack.