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.
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."