Man bags life imprisonment for stabbing friend over debt in

A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of another man in Vauxhall following an argument over money, after jurors rejected his claim of self-defence.

Fawaz Abdulkareem, 36, fatally stabbed Daniel Manuel, 32, at a flat on Bondway in south London after what prosecutors said began as a dispute over a debt he owed.

A Saturday statement released by Metropolitan Police UK confirmed the conviction.

Abdulkareem was unanimously convicted of murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place at Croydon Crown Court on Thursday, 21 May.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment to serve a minimum of 17 years on Friday, June 5, 2026.

Met detectives quickly identified Abdulkareem as the attacker and arrested him at the scene, charging him the following day.

Investigators said he attempted to mislead police and dispose of the weapon by throwing it from a 14th-floor window.

Detective Inspector Luke Hampton, who led the investigation, said: “Daniel was murdered in a moment of extreme violence by a man he thought was his friend.”

He added: “Abdulkareem tried to deceive police, recklessly throwing the murder weapon from the window of the 14th floor of a tower block and cruelly claiming it was Daniel who had attacked him.”

The officer said: “Met detectives saw through his lies and worked hard to secure a conviction. Abdulkareem’s claims of self-defence were dismissed by the jury.”

Daniel’s wife, Zulal, described the impact of his death in emotional testimony, saying: “Daniel was not just my husband, he was my partner, my home, my emotional safety and the person I built my entire life around.”

She said: “Losing him in such a violent and sudden way has completely shattered my world.”

She added: “This loss has affected every part of my life, emotionally, physically, financially and I am still trying to survive the aftermath of it.”

According to police, Daniel was found with three stab wounds in the lobby of the building after officers were called at 05:38hrs and arrived within minutes to provide emergency first aid. He was pronounced dead at the scene despite efforts by paramedics.

Investigators said the attack followed an evening at a nightclub, after which the men returned to the flat where the dispute escalated.

Abdulkareem was convicted of murder and possession of a bladed article and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years.

Detectives said evidence showed the victim was likely stabbed while his back was turned, contradicting the defendant’s claim that he acted in self-defence.