A 59-year-old man from Islington has been convicted of murdering a 58-year-old man at a pub in West Ealing last summer.
Timothy Simon of Englefield Road, N1, was found guilty on 24 March 2023 at Isleworth Crown Court of murdering Wayne Phillips. Simon was remanded and will appear at the same court on 5 April 2023 for sentencing.
During trial, the court heard how police were called at 11:55pm on 23 July 2022, to reports of a man suffering stab injuries inside the Star & Scorpion pub on Uxbridge Road in West Ealing.
Officers attended along with ambulance colleagues and Mr Phillips from West Hampstead was found with a stab wound to his heart. Despite the efforts of emergency services to save him, Wayne Phillips was pronounced dead at the scene at 00:29am on 24 July 2022.
A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death to have been blood loss and stab wound to the heart.
The investigation by the Met’s Specialist Crime Command was led by Detective Chief Inspector Neil Rawlinson.
DCI Rawlinson said: “This was a senseless murder that was committed for no other reason than insecurity. Timothy Simon’s actions have left Wayne Phillips’s loved ones devastated and even now, almost a year on, they continue to struggle to come to terms with their loss. Our thoughts are with them today.”
Police investigations revealed that on the night of the murder, Mr Phillips and two female companions had arrived at the Star & Scorpion pub on Uxbridge Road where they were attending a birthday party. They brought presents from the boot of their car and entered the pub greeting people at the entrance. Within minutes of arrival Mr Phillips was approached by Simon and the men fought briefly before Mr Phillips collapsed having been stabbed in the chest.
Timothy Simon left the scene. But was arrested on suspicion of murder the following day, 25 July 2022. He was charged that same day with murder.
Simon and Mr Phillips were known to each other as the defendant was previously in a relationship with Wayne’s long term partner.
DCI Rawlinson added: “The entire encounter was captured on CCTV and although Simon maintained at trial that the folding knife was not his, he could be seen initially making a stabbing movement with his right hand, before extending the blade and using it to stab Mr Phillips.
“I am pleased that the right verdict was reached and that Wayne Phillips’ loved ones may find a small measure of comfort in knowing that the man who took Wayne from them has been held to account.”
