Harrow: Man jailed for life after fatally stabbing friend 39 times

Peter Littlefair died from a stab wound to the neck and at least 39 separate injuries

A man who stabbed to death a friend who let him live in their north-west London home has been jailed for life with a minimum 12-year and six-month term.

Connor McCarthy, 39, admitted murdering Peter Littlefair, 57, after becoming violent with knives and broken glass in the early hours of 16 March 2023.

The Old Bailey heard that McCarthy was staying at the victim's Harrow home on the condition he stopped taking drugs.

Judge Ian Bourne KC said McCarthy was suffering "florid psychotic symptoms".

He said the defendant had a history of drug use and mental health issues and the psychotic symptoms had led to his "bizarre and erratic behaviour".

The court heard Mr Littlefair ran into the street to seek help, but was followed by McCarthy, who was wielding two knives and a broken glass bottle.

McCarthy continued the assault by aiming kicks at Mr Littlefair's head, and was heard shouting "you're the devil" and "hurry up and die" during the incident.

A post-mortem examination found Mr Littlefair's cause of death was a stab wound to the neck and at least 39 separate injuries.

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The judge said the incident began with threats of violence inside Mr Littlefair's home, "a place where he was entitled to feel safe and secure".

'Insight and remorse'

However, Judge Bourne KC gave credit to the defendant for pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity and expressing remorse for his actions.

"I am satisfied you are entitled to credit for the considerable level of insight and remorse you have uniquely indicated in this case and you deserve credit for your courageous and exceptional decision to plead guilty to this crime and avoid a very difficult trial for the family of Peter Littlefair," said the judge.

"I take into account your remorse and significant mental health issues."

Mr Littlefair had worked as a civil servant for most of his life and was married for 30 years before his divorce, the court heard.

However, after his father's death and becoming unhappy at work he became dependent on alcohol, took drugs and started mixing with people with a similar lifestyle.

He met McCarthy at a pub and developed a friendship. He then started to allow McCarthy to keep his belongings at his home, jurors were told.

A 'great friend'

In December 2022, McCarthy moved into the address in Chester Drive on the condition he would abstain from substance misuse, the Old Bailey heard.

But over the following months both men were using crack cocaine, Judge Bourne KC said in his summing up.

McCarthy started to experience unusual thoughts after taking Class A drugs, which became more severe and paranoid.

In mitigation, defence barrister Narita Bahra KC read out a letter McCarthy had written, which said he was "sincerely remorseful" for his actions and took responsibility for the death of Mr Littlefair.

"He was a great friend and I will never be able to explain what happened," he said.

Judge Bourne KC also paid tribute to the ex-wife and daughter of Mr Littlefair, who each described the suffering and long-lasting damage caused by his death in victim statements read to the court.

"It was clear he was a kind and generous man and a loving father," the judge said.

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