Hendon man convicted of murder in Kilburn stabbing

Leon Douglas, aged 45 and residing on Watford Way in Hendon, has been convicted of the murder of Khalid Marchoud. The conviction followed a nine-day trial at Harrow Crown Court, concluding on Tuesday, November 10th.

Mr Marchoud, 40, was discovered collapsed outside a ninth-floor flat in Tollgate Gardens, Kilburn, on Friday, December 19th of the previous year. He had sustained a stab wound and was pronounced dead later that evening at St Mary’s Hospital.

Altercation at Tollgate Gardens

Witnesses in court described how Douglas arrived at the Kilburn address and demanded entry. Once inside, he became aggressive and took a knife from the kitchen. He then became involved in an altercation with Mr Marchoud, who was unknown to him. Following the incident, Douglas left the property and was seen discarding the knife from a window before jumping from a roof to the ground.

Detective Inspector Sarah Philippe, who led the Metropolitan Police investigation, stated that the act was "senseless and brutal violence" and that thoughts remain with Mr Marchoud’s family. She also thanked witnesses whose assistance was invaluable.

Attempts to evade arrest

Following the incident, Douglas attempted to evade police. He disposed of the clothes he was wearing, shaved his beard, and dyed his hair red. Despite these efforts, detectives traced his movements using CCTV, intelligence, and phone enquiries.

Douglas was arrested on Tuesday, December 23rd, and charged with murder on Christmas Eve. He reportedly attempted to escape officers by jumping from a ground floor window at the rear of a property in Cricklewood before being detained.