Killer jailed for life after stabbing student to death at west London train station

A man has been jailed for life after stabbing a student to death at Strawberry Hill station in west London.

Dino Donaldson, 21, of Caxton Road in Ealing, was found guilty of murder on April 14 following a trial at the Old Bailey.

The court heard that two groups of young men had arranged to meet at the station to exchange £50 for 10 MDMA tablets on the evening of January 8, 2024.

Donaldson arrived with three others just after 10pm, followed by 21-year-old Anojan Gnaneswaran around an hour later.

The two groups had a disagreement, with Mr Gnaneswaran then calling his brother who then arrived shortly after with two others.

The argument continued on the station platform before Donaldson, who had become increasingly aggressive, brandished a long knife from his waistband.

He chased the group before launching a stabbing attack on Mr Gnaneswaran, injuring him in the chest, abdomen, and thigh.

British Transport Police

Emergency services were called to the scene by Mr Gnaneswaran’s brother, but despite best efforts from the brother and paramedics, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Shocking footage captured on CCTV shows Donaldson laughing on the N87 night bus less than an hour after Mr Gnaneswaran was pronounced dead.

In another chilling audio clip captured on a Ring doorbell, Donaldson is heard recounting the murder.

“I stabbed man in his back though,” he can be heard saying.

“I stabbed him through the back, bruv, I stabbed him fully. I watched it and I felt it going in him,” the audio continued.

The court heard that Dino Donaldson (pictured) accepted “no responsibility” for his actions

British Transport Police

An arrest warrant was later executed at Donaldson’s home on January 11, 2024, where he was discovered hiding in a cupboard.

At the sentencing hearing, the judge acknowledged the “terrible things” that had happened to Donaldson in his short life, but condemned him for the “savage and merciless killing.”

She added that Donaldson had accepted “no responsibility” for the murder, which has had a “profound and lifelong” impact on Mr Gnaneswaran’s family.

The police found Donaldson hiding in a cupboard at his home

British Transport Police

BTP Detective Chief Inspector Paul Attwell said: “What started as an argument over a drug deal ended in a young man’s future being stolen from him by a remorseless criminal.

“Donaldson showed his true colours as a coward by arming himself with a knife that night. His cowardice has continued by never accepting responsibility and admitting his crime – thankfully the jury saw through his lies.

“He will live the rest of his life knowing he has taken someone else’s, and he deserves every minute of his 23-year minimum sentence.

“Anojan’s family have been left with an unfillable void in their lives after their talented son and brother was taken from them in the most brutal circumstances imaginable.

“I want to pay tribute to them all, for the strength, dignity and patience they’ve shown throughout this case.”

Mr Gnaneswaran’s family described him as a “much-loved son and brother” in a previous tribute.

They said: “Anojan was in his third year at university studying accounting and finance, and he was so excited for his future.

“He excelled at all sports and had achieved first-dan black belt in karate – he competed in the World and European championships in karate, and we will all miss him so much.”