Jailed: Man who killed mechanic in Harlesden during a row about a Vauxhall Astra
Dwayne King has been jailed for 12 years - Credit: Archant
A mechanic has been jailed today for 12 years for stabbing-to-death a panel beater during a row about a Vauxhall Astra at a garage in Harlesden.
Victim: Granville Thomas - Credit: Archant
Dwayne King, 30, plunged an eight-inch blade into 55-year-old Granville Thomas’ chest with such force it passed through the breastbone into the heart.
The Old Bailey heard Mr Thomas, a married father-of-four from Harrow, had rented space in the garage in Ranelagh Road looked after by King, but they fell out over an agreed a £120 fee for use of the garage to repair the Astra for a customer.
But the customer wasn’t happy with the quality of the work and Mr Thomas, who was known as Blacks, claimed that King ‘was being funny’.
Mr Thomas did not collect the Astra despite a series of messages from King and the two men finally arranged to meet at the garage on June 29 this year.
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A witness told police that King offered to accept £70 but Mr Thomas wanted the use of the garage for free and became aggressive.
Before walking away from the scene, the witness saw Mr Thomas grab King and push him away before taking out a knife.
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A resident who watched the fight from his second floor window told police he saw Mr Thomas running away from the garage as King hurled a scaffold pole.
Mr Thomas then collapsed to the floor in an alleyway as King emerged from the garage holding a knife.
King denied murder and manslaughter, claiming he was acting in self-defence, but was convicted of the lesser offence following a trial.
Sentencing him to 12 years jail, Judge Anthony Morris QC told King: “I don’t accept you were acting in self defence by stabbing him, but I’m prepared to accept his production of a multi-tool provoked you.”
Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh, investigatin officer said: “Sadly, it would seem that the origins of the dispute that led to Granville Thomas being killed was something as trivial as the repairs of a vehicle.
“Granville Thomas lost his life and now King will send a considerable period of time in custody as a result.
“I hope that today’s verdict brings some degree of comfort to Granville Thomas’ family and friends.”
