Killer who dyed hair red to evade arrest found guilty of murder after fatal stabbing at Kilburn flats

A man who stabbed a stranger to death at a block of flats in north-west London before changing his appearance and going on the run has been found guilty of murder.

Leon Douglas was convicted at Harrow Crown Court on Tuesday following a nine-day trial over the killing of 40-year-old Khalid Marchoud in Kilburn.

The court heard that Mr Marchoud died after being stabbed in the abdomen during an altercation at a ninth-floor flat in Tollgate Gardens on the evening of December 19.

Police were called to the address at about 9.40pm following reports of a stabbing.

Officers found Mr Marchoud collapsed outside a flat with a serious stab wound. He was taken to St Mary's Hospital but died later that night.

Prosecutors said Douglas had arrived at the building to visit a former housemate and aggressively demanded entry to the property.

After being allowed inside, he armed himself with a knife from the kitchen and became involved in a confrontation with Mr Marchoud, who was unknown to him.

The court heard Douglas then followed Mr Marchoud out of the flat before fatally stabbing him.

Following the attack, Douglas fled through the building and disposed of the murder weapon by throwing it from a second-floor window.

He then climbed on to the roof of the entrance block before jumping to the ground and making his way towards Kilburn High Road.

Detectives used CCTV footage, mobile phone evidence and witness accounts to reconstruct his movements after the killing.

The investigation showed Douglas returned to another address where he changed his clothes before spending the evening at a local pub with friends.

In the days that followed, he attempted to avoid capture by disposing of the clothing he had been wearing during the attack, shaving off his beard and dyeing his hair red.

Police launched a manhunt and traced him to an address in Cricklewood four days after the killing.

When officers moved in to arrest him on December 23, Douglas attempted to escape by jumping out of a ground-floor window at the rear of the property.

However, officers were waiting outside and swiftly detained him.

He was charged with murder on Christmas Eve.

Following the verdict, Detective Inspector Sarah Philippe, who led the investigation, described the killing as a "senseless and brutal act of violence".

She said: "Our thoughts remain with Khalid's family and loved ones, who continue to live with the devastating consequences of Douglas' actions.

"I would like to thank the witnesses who came forward and supported our investigation. Their assistance was invaluable in helping us build the case that secured this conviction."