Man jailed for murder after stabbing 32-year-old to death over debt

A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the fatal stabbing of a 32-year-old over a debt, police have confirmed. Fawaz Abdulkareem, 36, must serve a minimum of 17 years behind bars for the murder of Daniel Manuel at his Vauxhall flat last July.

The Metropolitan Police detailed the events following Abdulkareem’s sentencing on Friday. Mr Manuel was fatally stabbed at Abdulkareem’s Bondway residence on 5 July last year, after the pair had spent the evening at a nightclub. They returned to the flat in the early hours with a group of friends.

It was during an argument about money that Abdulkareem attacked Mr Manuel, stabbing him three times with a kitchen knife. Following the assault, Abdulkareem left the flat, attempting to conceal the weapon in his waistband and using his T-shirt to disguise it as he reported Mr Manuel’s injuries to staff in the communal lobby.

Upon realising emergency services were en route, Abdulkareem tried to dispose of the blade by throwing it from his 14th-floor window. However, responding officers noticed Mr Manuel’s blood on his clothing and arrested him at the scene.

Abdulkareem claimed he acted in self-defence, but police stated that the nature of Mr Manuel’s injuries indicated he was most likely stabbed while his back was turned.

Mr Manuel’s wife, Zulal, said: “Daniel was not just my husband, he was my partner, my home, my emotional safety and the person I built my entire life around.

“Losing him in such a violent and sudden way has completely shattered my world.

“This loss has affected every part of my life, emotionally, physically, financially and I am still trying to survive the aftermath of it.”

Detective Inspector Luke Hampton, who led the Met investigation, said: “Daniel was murdered in a moment of extreme violence by a man he thought was his friend.

“Abdulkareem tried to deceive police, recklessly throwing the murder weapon from the window of the 14th floor of a tower block and cruelly claiming it was Daniel who had attacked him.

“Met detectives saw through his lies and worked hard to secure a conviction. Abdulkareem’s claims of self-defence were dismissed by the jury.

“Our thoughts remain with Daniel’s family and hope this sentence gives them a degree of peace.”

Abdulkareem, of Bondway, Southwark, was unanimously convicted of murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place at Croydon Crown Court on May 21, police said.

He was sentenced on Friday to life imprisonment to serve a minimum of 17 years, the force added.