Pal Beats Friend To Death At Thornton Heath Flat

Killer: Nikolay Zhivkov

A brutal thug has been found guilty of murdering his friend in a “brutal and sustained” attack at his Thornton Heath home.

Nikolay Zhivkov, 44, was convicted following a trial at the Old Bailey and will be sentenced at a future date.

Police began an investigation after the body of 60 year-old Krasimir Kartikov was discovered at his home in Whitehorse Road on Monday, January 13.

A post-mortem examination revealed he died from multiple injuries, including several skull fractures and a broken nose.

Neighbours heard loud voices and banging inside Krasimir’s flat in the early hours of Sunday, January 12.

Several witnesses also reported seeing a man regularly visit the property. 

He was identified as Zhivkov.

Officers began an urgent search to locate him, which involved analysing telephone data which linked him to the address at the time of the attack.

Beaten: Krasimir Kartikov

CCTV enquiries were carried out, revealing Zhivkov had boarded a bus at West Croydon Bus Station later on Sunday morning.

He was traced to an address in Southall and arrested on the evening of Thursday, January 16.

During interview he refused to give any explanation for the attack and denied any involvement.

In a statement, Krasimir’s family said: “Krasimir was the nicest man you can imagine. 

“He was kind and always eager to help others. He was liked by everyone who knew him.

“I cannot imagine what could possibly have provoked someone to murder him in this way. 

“It breaks our heart to think about it.”

Detective Chief Inspector Helen Rance, of the Specialist Crime Command, said: “This was a brutal and horrific attack on Krasimir by someone he knew and had allowed into his home.

“Throughout this process Zhivkov failed to take any responsibility for his actions. 

“Now he has no choice but to face up to what he did to a man who cared for him and called him his friend.”