Barnet: Banknotes left in road after stabbing, murder trial told

Romanian national Stefan Moraru died from a single stab wound to his heart

Two men robbed a drug dealer and stabbed him to death in north London, leaving banknotes "littering the road", the Old Bailey has heard.

Police officers found the body of Stefan Moraru, 44, in a driveway in Chandos Avenue in Barnet in March 2023.

Armand Tafa, 40, and Migen Emilova, 36, both of no fixed address, are charged with his murder and robbery.

Mr Tafa denies both charges, while Mr Emilova denies murder but admits robbery.

Jurors were told Romanian national Mr Moraru died from a single stab wound to his heart.

Prosecuting, Hugh Davies KC said there was "no issue" Mr Moraru was robbed by at least one defendant, given Mr Emilova's guilty plea.

'Substandard drugs'

"Was this a random attack by strangers? The answer is no," said Mr Davies. "Mr Moraru was known to the defendants, and they were known to each other."

He continued: "The wider evidence suggests that what occurred was probably linked to the defendants believing Mr Moraru had provided them with substandard drugs; or as a minimum was a dealer who would have drugs and money - and in consequence they had arranged to meet and ambush him for the purposes of robbery.

"Banknotes littered the road on the route where he had staggered to his final resting place," said Mr Davies.

The prosecution alleges that the two defendants acted together, having driven to the scene and searched and emptied Mr Moraru's car on the night of 19 March.

Mr Davies said both men were blaming the other for the murder to "avoid the consequences of their own criminal actions".

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

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail]