CITIZENS COMPASS— A 36-year-old man, Fawaz Abdulkareem, has bagged a life sentence for allegedly stabbing his friend to death following an argument involving money in Vauxhall, London in the United Kingdom(UK).
He was slammed with life sentences after jurors rejected his claim of self-defence.
The 32-year-old Daniel Manuel was allegedly stabbed at a flat on Bondway in south London after what prosecutors said began as a dispute over a debt he owed.
A Saturday statement released by Metropolitan Police UK confirmed the conviction.
Abdulkareem was unanimously convicted of murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place at Croydon Crown Court on Thursday, 21 May, 2026.
The matter came up on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Mr Manuel and Abdulkareem had spent the evening at a nightclub, returning with a group of friends to Abdulkareem’s flat in the early hours of the morning.
It was after an argument about money that Mr Manuel was stabbed three times with a kitchen knife, the force added.
Following the attack, Abdulkareem left the flat with the knife still in the waistband of his trousers, taking his T-shirt off and using it to disguise the weapon when he reported Mr Manuel’s injuries to staff in the communal lobby, the Met said.
Met detectives quickly identified Abdulkareem as the attacker and arrested him at the scene, charging him the following day.
Investigators said he attempted to mislead police and dispose of the weapon by throwing it from a 14th-floor window.
Detective Inspector Luke Hampton, who led the investigation, said: “Daniel was murdered in a moment of extreme violence by a man he thought was his friend.”
He added: “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.”
The officer said: “Met detectives saw through his lies and worked hard to secure a conviction. Abdulkareem’s claims of self-defence were dismissed by the jury.”
Daniel’s wife, Zulal, described the impact of his death in emotional testimony, saying: “Daniel was not just my husband, he was my partner, my home, my emotional safety and the person I built my entire life around.
She said: “Losing him in such a violent and sudden way has completely shattered my world.”
She added: “This loss has affected every part of my life, emotionally, physically, financially and I am still trying to survive the aftermath of it.”
According to police, Daniel was found with three stab wounds in the lobby of the building after officers were called at 05:38hrs and arrived within minutes to provide emergency first aid. He was pronounced dead at the scene despite efforts by paramedics.
Investigators said the attack followed an evening at a nightclub, after which the men returned to the flat where the dispute escalated.
Abdulkareem was convicted of murder and possession of a bladed article and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years.
Detectives said evidence showed the victim was likely stabbed while his back was turned, contradicting the defendant’s claim that he acted in self-defence.
