Man killed ex's dad in frenzied attack, court told

Bus driver Derek Thomas, 53, was fatally stabbed on his way home from work on 30 July

A man murdered the father of his former partner in a "frenzied" knife attack after an argument with his ex, a court has heard.

Kamar Williams, 34, stabbed bus driver Derek Thomas, 55, from Stoke Newington, north-west London, who was on his way home from work, his Old Bailey trial was told. He denies murder.

Prosecutor Anthony Orchard KC said that on 30 July Mr Williams had been out looking for Mr Thomas's daughter Carron, who was his former girlfriend, but had failed to find her.

A WhatsApp discussion to sort out domestic arrangements after their break-up had become abusive and "tempers appeared to become frayed," Mr Orchard said.

'Easier target'

The same night as the messages were sent, Mr Williams was allegedly driving his van near the Thomas family home when he saw Carron's father carrying a bag of shopping, on his way home from work.

Witnesses described seeing a man stop his van in the middle of the road, get out, and attack Mr Thomas before returning to his vehicle and driving away.

The bus driver, who worked for Go-Ahead London, had been stabbed five times with a large knife.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, in Northwold Road, Stoke Newington, less than half an hour later.

Mr Orchard said: "The breakdown of the defendant's relationship with Carron Thomas appears to have been the trigger for [the defendant's] actions."

"He went out looking for Ms Thomas but was unsuccessful. He decided on an easier target, her father.

"There can be no doubt the attacker was the defendant. Mr Thomas was struck by the knife on five occasions in what was a frenzied attack.

"Mr Thomas must have been terrified."

The defendant made a "determined attempt to avoid arrest" in the weeks after the attack before being arrested on 26 August at the Notting Hill Carnival, the court heard.

Mr Williams, of Cuba Street, Tower Hamlets, east London, also denies a charge of having an article with a blade or point.

The trial, which is expected to last four weeks, continues.