Darryn Madigan, 38, will serve at least 16 years in jail for stabbing his next door neighbour to death after a late night row.
John Martin, 41, of Doreen Avenue, was knifed in the heart by Madigan, 38, in front of his partner moments after getting out of a minicab.
Mr Martin, originally from County Meath in Ireland, had returned to his flat at around 2.50am following a night out on August 7 last year.
Horrified neighbours witnessed the attack after hearing Mr Martin shouting drunken insults from the front garden of Madigan’s maisonette.
Prosecutor Oliver Glasgow, QC, told jurors at the Old Bailey: “The fact he was drunk and abusive may do little to endear him to you.
“However, none of that provides the defendant with a defence to murder, nor could it, since the mere fact that someone is drunk and abusive could never justify killing that person in cold blood.”
Madigan admitted manslaughter at the beginning of his trial last Monday but was convicted of murder today and ordered to serve a minimum of 16 years in prison.
“As they got out of the minicab John Martin went into the defendant’s front garden and began to shout abuse up to his top window,” said Mr Glasgow.
“A scuffle broke out and during the scuffle he stabbed John Martin. He stabbed John Martin twice to the left side of his chest.”
Police and paramedics along with an air ambulance attended the scene where they found Mr Martin collapsed in the street and despite their best efforts he was pronounced dead at 3.41am.
A post-mortem examination carried out the following day at Northwick Park Hospital confirmed the cause of death as a stab wound to the chest.
Madigan remained at the scene following the attack and was arrested by police on arrival.
Detective Inspector Joe Daly, from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “We are pleased Madigan has been brought to account for what was a vicious attack that arose out of a minor verbal altercation.
“It has devastated John’s girlfriend and his wider family.”
Madigan, of Doreen Avenue, admitted manslaughter at the start of his trial last Monday but was found guilty of murder by the jury.
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