Drug-Crazed Brick Thug Jailed For Murdering Stranger

Malachi Lindo

A drug-crazed killer, who used a brick to cave in a stranger's face during a violent street confrontation, has been caged for life – with a fourteen-year minimum.

Malachi Lindo, 27, of Bowles Green, Enfield was convicted of murdering 51 year-old Phillip Steels of nearby Burncroft Avenue in the early hours of September 4, last year.

The Old Bailey heard Mr. Steels had been drinking at home earlier that evening and had later gone out – still angry about a long dispute he was having with his neighbour.

After leaving a friend's house Mr. Steels was walking along Green Street, Enfield, where he became involved in an altercation with Lindo – a total stranger.

A fight began and when Mr. Steels fell to the ground Lindo sat over him and smashed him about the face with a house brick, causing horrific injuries.

Lindo left Mr. Steels in a pool of blood and crossed the road towards a parked white Audi A3.

He sat down with his back to the vehicle with his legs in the road just yards from Mr. Steels for fifteen minutes, causing several passing cars to swerve round him.

Police arrived at 1.45am and Lindo ran towards Hertford Road with officers in pursuit.

Phillip Steels

Lindo continued to act erratically and babble and said to officers that he had taken a cocktail of drugs, including cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy.

He spat at officers and then asked if he could go home saying: "I promise I won't kill again".



Mr. Steels was pronounced dead at the scene.

The brick was found lying alongside his body as well as the blue baseball cap Lindo had been wearing.

A rucksack found nearby contained a large quantity of drugs and related paraphernalia belonging to Lindo.



A search of his home revealed more drugs paraphernalia and Lindo confirmed that at the time he was actively dealing drugs.


Investigating officer, Acting Detective Sergeant Mike Stubbins, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command (HMCC), said: "This was a horrendous attack on an innocent member of the public, brought about by a complicated and confused individual being high on a cocktail of drugs.



“Lindo had been taking numerous drugs. He has stated that his mind started playing games and he felt he was in a parallel dimension. 



"This is a tragic case where an innocent member of the public has felt the wrath of a young man whose life had been unraveling and who had turned to experimenting with illegal substances.



"Unfortunately he has let out his frustration on the first person he has seen leading to the death of Philip Steels.



"The investigating team worked tirelessly to bring this defendant to justice and to try and bring some form of relief to the family of Mr. Steels.

“I only hope that over time the horrible facts of Mr. Steels death fade in the minds of his family and friends and this result is able to bring an element of closure to this tragic incident."