Key Points
- Kamar Williams, 34, has been convicted of murdering Derek Thomas, 55, in Hackney, east London.
- Williams brutally attacked his ex-girlfriend’s father in July 2023 and fled the scene.
- He was later captured by police at the Notting Hill Carnival after months on the run.
- The jury at the Old Bailey found him unanimously guilty of murder.
- Williams was also convicted of possessing a bladed article by a majority verdict.
- Judge Angela Rafferty KC has adjourned sentencing until 18 July.
- The victim, Derek Thomas, was a London bus driver described by family and colleagues as “kind-hearted and loved by everyone.”
- Police described the attack as “frenzied” and “completely senseless.”
- Williams’s attempt to evade capture ended when he crashed a hired BMW and fled on foot.
- The verdict was welcomed by Mr Thomas’s family, who expressed relief that justice had been served.
A fugitive who stabbed his ex-girlfriend’s father to death before fleeing across London has been found guilty of murder after a jury at the Old Bailey returned unanimous verdicts following nearly 18 hours of deliberation.
Derek Thomas, 55, a well-liked Transport for London bus driver, was stabbed repeatedly by Kamar Williams, 34, from the Isle of Dogs, during a “frenzied and violent assault” on 30 July 2023 in Hackney. The attack left the local community in shock and launched a large-scale police manhunt that ended when officers cornered Williams months later at the Notting Hill Carnival.
According to John Dunne of the Evening Standard, Williams was described by prosecutors as a “jealous and controlling” individual after he became enraged at the breakdown of his relationship with Mr Thomas’s daughter. The court was told that Williams “harboured resentment” and had vowed that the victim would “pay the price.”
What Happened on the Night of the Attack?
As reported by Lizzie Dearden of The Independent, the fatal confrontation occurred outside Mr Thomas’s home in north-east London. Witnesses testified that Williams had lain in wait before launching a violent assault, stabbing the victim repeatedly before fleeing the scene. The injuries, according to a post-mortem cited by BBC News, were “consistent with a sustained, frenzied knife attack.”
Prosecutor Nick Barnes KC, quoted by multiple outlets including BBC and The Standard, told jurors that Williams inflicted more than a dozen wounds before leaving his victim “fatally injured on the pavement.” Despite emergency efforts by paramedics, Mr Thomas was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.
Detective Inspector Gavin Collins of the Metropolitan Police, who led the investigation, said in a statement publicised by The Guardian,
“This was a vicious, premeditated act of violence motivated by revenge. Williams’s behaviour before and after the incident demonstrates clear intent to harm.”
How Did Kamar Williams Evade Capture?
Following the stabbing, Williams embarked on a months-long flight from justice. According to Sarah Lumley of Metro News, police launched an extensive manhunt across London after identifying him as the prime suspect. He was believed to have used aliases and frequently changed addresses to avoid arrest.
Police sources cited by ITV News said Williams’s eventual downfall came in dramatic fashion during the August 2023 Notting Hill Carnival. Officers on patrol recognised him among festivalgoers and initiated a pursuit after he attempted to flee.
As The Standard detailed, he crashed a hired BMW while trying to evade officers before attempting to escape on foot through crowded streets. He was detained shortly after following a short chase.
Detective Collins stated at the time,
“Williams believed he could blend in and disappear in one of the largest events in London’s social calendar. But his luck ran out. Our officers worked tirelessly to bring him into custody.”
What Was Revealed During the Trial?
During the four-week trial at the Old Bailey, the prosecution presented DNA evidence, CCTV footage, and witness testimonies establishing Williams’s involvement. According to Michael Drummond of PA Media, jurors were shown footage of Williams circling the Hackney neighbourhood minutes before the killing.
The defence, led by Gus Zacharia, argued that Williams had acted in self-defence, suggesting that “a confrontation escalated unexpectedly.” However, this version was rejected after jurors concluded that the level of violence inflicted was excessive and deliberate.
Reporting from BBC London Correspondent Helena Wilkinson stated that the jury of seven women and five men reached unanimous verdicts of murder and a majority verdict of 11 to 1 on the possession of a bladed article.
Upon hearing the verdict, members of Mr Thomas’s family gasped and cried “yes” from the public gallery. Judge Angela Rafferty KC thanked jurors for their careful consideration before remanding Williams in custody ahead of sentencing.
What Did the Victim’s Family and Police Say?
Mr Thomas’s relatives, speaking outside the Old Bailey, said they were “relieved that justice has finally been achieved.” Reported by Sky News, his daughter described him as “a loving father and a gentle man who worked hard for his family.”
She continued,
“Our dad didn’t deserve to die like this. He was the type of person who would help anyone. We hope this verdict gives us some peace.”
In a statement released by the Metropolitan Police, Detective Chief Inspector Linda Bradley said,
“This verdict cannot undo the pain caused, but it reflects the strength of evidence and dedication of investigators who never gave up.”
She added that Williams
“will now spend many years behind bars reflecting on the devastation he caused.”
How Did the Judge Address the Court?
While deferring final sentencing to 18 July, Judge Angela Rafferty KC, as quoted by The Guardian, described the murder as a “cowardly and premeditated” act. She told the defendant,
“You armed yourself with a knife and decided to confront your victim. You deprived a family of a father and a community of a valued member.”
The judge indicated that the case met the threshold for a life sentence, though the minimum term will be decided at sentencing.
Legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg, writing for BBC Analysis, noted that “given the brutal and targeted nature of the attack, a whole-life order is possible, though not certain.”
What Has Been the Public Reaction?
The Hackney community, where Mr Thomas lived and worked as a bus driver, expressed deep sorrow. Tributes have continued to pour in from colleagues at Go-Ahead London, where he served for over 20 years. A spokesperson told ITV News:
“Derek was dependable, kind, and respectful. Everyone on his route knew him.”
Local residents attended a vigil days after his death, lighting candles near the bus stop he routinely served. One neighbour told The Standard,
“He was like sunshine on a rainy day—always smiling.”
Community safety advocates have since criticised the rise in knife crime across the capital. Data cited by The Guardian shows London recorded over 13,000 knife-related offences in 2023, prompting renewed calls for stricter measures on bladed weapons.
What Happens Next?
Williams will return to the Old Bailey on 18 July 2025 for sentencing, at which point the court will determine his minimum prison term.
As reported by PA Media, the prosecution has signalled plans to argue for a “life sentence with a substantial minimum tariff,” while defence counsel is expected to highlight Williams’s previously clean record as a possible mitigating factor.
Regardless of the precise term, the guilty verdict brings closure to a case that captured national attention for over two years—a case defined by personal tragedy, relentless police work, and justice finally served in a London courtroom.
