Killer fled on bike after Boxing Day stabbing of ‘defenceless’ man in Hackney

A killer caught on CCTV fleeing a fatal stabbing on a bicycle is facing years in jail.

Jurejs Vankovs knifed defenceless 49-year-old Michael Murphy on Cranwood Street, Hackney in the early hours of Boxing Day .

The pair, who were known to each other, had been in a row between a group of up to ten people which escalated into violence.

Vankovs, 39, chased Mr Murphy who fell to the ground at 3am on December 26 last year.

As the victim raised a leg to defend himself while prone on the ground, his attacker was seen making a stabbing motion towards him.

Mr Murphy cried out that he had been stabbed but Vankovs walked off.

Passers-by rushed to assist him before paramedics arrived.

But a damaged artery to his leg proved fatal and Mr Murphy died at the scene.

Detectives launched an investigation which included compiling CCTV of Latvian national Vankovs’ movements as he fled the scene in a black tracksuit on a red bike.

At Wood Green Crown Court on Wednesday, Vankovs, of no fixed address, was found guilty of manslaughter following a trial. He will be sentenced on a later date.

Vankovs, who lived a transient lifestyle around the Hackney area, went to ground and specialist Metropolitan Police officers launched a manhunt to find him. He was located and arrested on New Year’s Day.

Despite refusing to answer any interview questions put to him, detectives charged Vankovs with murder.

In a statement, Mr Murphy's relatives said at the time: “We are devastated and heartbroken at the loss of Michael.

“He was a loving father, son, brother and uncle and a much-loved member of our family.”

Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Allen who led the investigation said: “Michael’s life was taken away in a matter of seconds as a result of completely unnecessary violence by Jurejs Vankovs.

“Whatever the trigger was for this fatal attack, the level of aggression used by Vankovs was completely disproportionate to the threat he faced.

“With Michael lying defenceless on the ground, Vankovs had a choice of how to conclude their altercation - he chose to stab him, causing Michael an injury that he could not survive.

“This choice has left Michael’s family, and those who knew him, completed devastated and he must now face up to the consequences of his actions.”

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