Man found guilty of murder in Luton after stabbing victim who refused to let him stay
Abul Kasim, 25, from Cheshunt, stabbed and killed 63-year-old Martin Sullivan in his own home on Highbury Road, Luton
A man has been found guilty of murdering another man in Luton after stabbing him during an argument over staying the night.
Abul Kasim, 25, from Perrysfield Road in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, attacked 63-year-old Martin Sullivan at his home on Highbury Road on the evening of 8 January this year. Emergency services were called at 11:05pm and Martin was taken to hospital but died shortly afterwards.
Police said Kasim had been using the address as a base to sell drugs. On the night of the murder, he demanded to stay over, but Martin refused and told him to leave. Kasim then stabbed him with a knife before fleeing the house.
Kasim was later identified from his fingerprints on a doorframe and a bottle of juice he had been drinking from. He was arrested and charged.
He was unanimously found guilty of murder by a jury at Luton Crown Court on Friday following a two-week trial.
He is due to be sentenced in September.
Detective Inspector Caeva Taylor from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit said: “Martin was a much-loved and recognisable figure in the community and could often be seen walking his dogs in the Bury Park area.
“Kasim’s utterly senseless and violent actions led to Martin losing his life, which has caused a huge amount of pain and suffering to Martin’s family and friends.
“We will relentlessly pursue those who choose to carry knives or perpetrate knife related violence and will seek maximum penalties wherever possible.”