Drug dealer who tried to leave country after stabbing man 24 times is jailed

Raekwon Hanniford-Brown (right) stabbed Errol McKay 24 times at his flat in Wandsworth, London (Picture: PA)

A drug dealer has been jailed for life after stabbing a man to death 24 times last year.

Croydon Crown Court heard how an argument broke out between Raekwon Hanniford-Brown, 23, and the victim Errol McKay, 49, at Errol’s flat in Wandsworth, south London, on July 27 last year.

It turned into a physical fight that resulted in Mr McKay sustaining fatal wounds.

Mr McKay was pronounced dead at the scene with 24 stab wounds including injuries to the back of his head and neck.

The pair had an agreement for Hanniford-Brown to store drugs that he dealt in Mr McKay’s flat, and in turn the victim was supplied with crack cocaine, the Met said.

Hanniford-Brown moved his drugs safe in the flat before leaving the scene on a bicycle.

Forensic examiners found extensive bloodstaining in the lounge, where the attack took place, and kitchen of the flat.

A bloody handprint was also found in the bedroom which linked to Hanniford-Brown’s fingerprints.

Errol McKay was described by family as a ‘kind-hearted family man’ (Picture: PA)

He disposed of the knife and tried to leave the country but was arrested at London Gatwick Airport on July 28 and charged with murder the following day.

Detective Chief Inspector Laura Semple said: ‘Hanniford-Brown claimed that he acted in self-defence and that he suffered with PTSD and a phobia of knives, he also said that if it wasn’t self-defence, he at least hadn’t intended to cause Errol serious harm.

‘However, the severity of the wounds he inflicted, the mobile phone data and the steps he took to distance himself from the incident, indicated otherwise.’

A spokesperson for Mr McKay’s family said: ‘Errol was the youngest of nine children, the baby of the family. He was a loving son, brother, uncle and nephew.

Raekwon Hanniford-Brown has now been jailed for life (Picture: PA)

‘Errol was humble, funny and affectionate. A kind-hearted man who prioritised family.

‘This man took Errol’s life then tried to run away. Some of us have been able to forgive, others have not, cannot and will not.

‘Errol was taken from us too soon but leaves behind a legacy of love.’

Raekwon Hanniford-Brown, of Rossiter Road, Balham, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 19 years.

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The victim was stabbed to death in his own flat.