Ex Stabs Party Guest To Death While Trying To Kill Woman's New Lover

A jealous knifeman, who turned up at his ex-girlfriend's home and stabbed to death a party guest as the victim tried to save the woman's new lover from the blade, has been jailed for life.

Delaney Barnett, 27, (pictured) of Baring Road, Lee, south-east London must serve a minimum of twenty years after he was convicted at Woolwich Crown Court.

He was convicted of murdering Harold Muzeremwi, 20, and attempting to murder Nash Leigh Walsh-Drew, 25, at Kingsley Wood Drive, Eltham on October 20,last year.

Both victims had partied at the address the night before and Mr. Walsh-Drew was sitting in a bedroom with Barnett's ex-girlfriend watching television when the defendant arrived.

Barnett grabbed two knives from the kitchen and attacked Mr. Walsh-Drew and Mr. Muzeremwi, who was in the lounge, dashed to his aid and both men sustained serious injuries.

Mr. Muzeremwi was pronounced dead at the scene and a post-mortem revealed one of the knife wounds had severed his pulmonary artery.

Mr. Walsh-Drew was taken to hospital suffering stab injuries to the front and back of his body - he has since recovered from his injuries.


That night Barnett surrendered himself at Lewisham Police Station and was arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder.



Detective Chief Inspector Cliff Lyons from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command said: "This case concerned the callous taking of the life of Harold Muzeremwi, who was defending his friend from an armed attacker.

“The defendant, Delaney Barnett, was enraged that his former partner had formed a relationship with Nash Leigh Walsh- Drew.



"He attacked Mr. Walsh-Drew and stabbed his rival, causing serious injuries. Harold intervened and died as a result of the stab wounds he received.



"Harold was unarmed, and with no thought for his own safety, sought to protect his friend from an armed attacker."



A statement from Harold Muzeremwi's family said: "When I said goodbye to my son on Friday 19 October 2012, I was hoping to see him on the 20 October as arranged.

“I always encouraged my son to stay indoors and not on the streets. Harold heeded my advice but met his death indoors where he believed he was safe.



"Harold was stabbed by someone whom he did not know, whom he had not wronged. It was only because he tried to be a peacemaker that he consequently paid the ultimate price.



"Someone's moment of madness resulted in my son's death - the loss of a child, a best friend and brother.

“Nothing and no one can bring my son back, but justice has been served and Delaney Barnett will make no other parent walk down a lifelong path of pain as I will.”