A fourth individual has been found guilty of manslaughter in connection with the death of a man in Croydon in 2023. Michael Patrick Afonso Peixoto was fatally stabbed five times, including a wound to the heart, during an ambush by a group attempting to rob him of drugs.
Ali Abdul Basit, 19, fled the country immediately following the stabbing and ultimately made his way to Pakistan, where he remained for several months. During his absence, three of his accomplices were convicted in 2024, with DNA evidence linking them to the crime scene through cigarette butts discovered near their parked vehicle.
Zak Baako was convicted of murder, while John Budal was found guilty of manslaughter, and Omari Peat was convicted of robbery.
Detectives established a connection between Mr. Basit and the attack through mobile phone data and DNA evidence from a cigarette butt. The group had attempted to rob Mr. Peixoto after he was informed that someone was interested in purchasing drugs from him. Upon approaching a BMW where the suspects were waiting, he was confronted by an assailant wielding a large knife and was subsequently stabbed multiple times before collapsing in a nearby driveway.
Mr. Basit returned to the UK in May 2025 after spending two years abroad. Upon his return, he was arrested and charged with murder. Following a trial lasting three weeks, he was convicted of manslaughter and robbery.
Detective Inspector Martin Thorpe, who oversaw the investigation, stated:
“After Michael’s violent murder, Basit immediately left the country and travelled to Dubai via Venice, then Egypt, eventually arriving in Pakistan, where he remained for months.”
He added,
“Basit returned to the UK after the conviction of three other men in connection with Michael’s death, possibly under the false impression that he had evaded justice. What Basit didn’t know is that our officers had compiled an extensive amount of evidence, including phone data linking him to the other three convicted men at the time of the assault.”
After his arrest, investigators obtained DNA from an asthma inhaler found at his residence, which matched DNA collected from a cigarette butt at the crime scene. This case highlights the Metropolitan Police’s commitment to pursuing justice and ensuring that individuals who engage in such violent acts are held accountable.
Mr. Basit is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, May 22.
Bildquelle: ai-generated-gemini
