Drug addict from Queen’s Park jailed for life for murdering his flatmate
Matthew Tinling has been jailed for life - Credit: Archant
Matthew Tinling killed Richard Hamilton in their home in Shirland Road
A drug addict who murdered his flatmate so he could plunder his bank account to feed his habit has been jailed for life.
Matthew Tinling, 25, stabbed 46-year-old Richard Hamilton in the neck, at their home in Shirland Road, Queen’s Park, in April last year.
The Old Bailey heard both men were living in accommodation provided by a charity for homeless people.
They shared a flat but had separate room and before the murder Tinling had intimidated Mr Hamilton so much that he became a virtual recluse in his own home.
After he Tinling killed his Glaswegian victim he withdrew £240 out of his bank account.
CCTV footage captured him leaving the flat 15 minutes before the transaction took place.
Most Read
- 1 Two charged after police discharge taser during Kingsbury vehicle stop
- 2 2 men attacked by group after fight breaks out at Queensbury Tube Station
- 3 How to lose weight by eating fat and being full
- 4 Harlesden shop fire 'caused by barbecue'
- 5 Most wanted: 7 people sought in connection with 11 robberies across London
- 6 Injured moped driver appeal after Dollis Hill collision
- 7 Road closed after man's death in Willesden
- 8 Jailed: Kilburn man linked to 8 knifepoint robberies in St John's Wood area
- 9 Complaints of 'chaos' after Harry Styles' Wembley gigs
- 10 Plea date set for men accused of fatal stabbing in Neasden
Tinling later confessed to an associate he had killed Mr Hamilton and forensic evidence also linked him to the murder.
Today he was jailed for life with a minimum tariff of 30 years after being found guilty of Mr Hamilton’ s murder on Monday.
Detective Inspector Colette Smyth, investigating officers, said: “Matthew Tinling used brutal violence to murder Richard Hamilton, so he could obtain funds from Richard’s bank accounts to feed his daily drug habit.
“He inflicted fear and intimidation on Richard to the extent that he became a recluse in his own room in the weeks prior to his murder. This was in a place where for the first time in a long time Richard could call home.
“I would like to thank those witnesses who bravely came forward and gave evidence in this trial.”
Three other men who arrested in connection with the killing were released with no further action.