A "dangerous, violent" drug dealer stabbed a user whose flat he stored drugs in to death - and then tried flee the country.

Raekwon Hanniford-Brown, 23, of Rossiter Road was found guilty of the murder of Errol McKay after appearing at Croydon Crown Court yesterday, July 19.

The court heard that Mr McKay, used drugs and that Hanniford-Brown, a drug dealer, stored drugs in his flat.

In return, Hanniford-Brown supplied Errol with crack cocaine and the pair “appeared to be on friendly terms” until the night of the murder.

On Wednsday, July 27, 2022 Hanniford-Brown went to Errol's flat in Trinity Crescent in Wandswarth, letting himself into the property with a set of keys he had.

An argument later ensued between Hanniford-Brown and Errol about the keys that he had used to gain entry into the flat, developing into a physical fight with Mr McKay sustaining facial wounds.

Police say that Errol was stabbed a total of 24 times.

Hanniford-Brown told a friend of Errol’s who was in the flat at the time to call an ambulance and to apply pressure to the wounds.

He then left the scene by bicycle after moving the safe where he stored the drugs, and later disposed of the knife and attempted to leave the UK.

Forensics later found extensive bloodstains at the flat, in the lounge and the kitchen, as well as a hand print in blood in the bedroom, with the fingerprints found to be that of Hanniford-Brown’s.

On July 28, 2022, Raekwon Hanniford-Brown was arrested at Gatwick Airport as he attempted to leave the UK for Paris.

He was later charged on July 29, 2022 with Errol’s murder.

Throughout the investigation Hanniford-Brown claimed that he had acted within self-defence, claiming that he had stabbed Errol to defend himself.

Detective Chief Inspector Laura Semple of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said: “Hanniford-Brown claimed that he acted in self-defence and that he suffered with PTSD and a phobia of knives, he also said that if it wasn't self-defence, he at least hadn't intended to cause Errol serious harm.

“However, the severity of the wounds he inflicted, the mobile phone data and the steps he took to distance himself from the incident, indicated otherwise.

“The attack on Errol was one of extreme brutality – he was stabbed 24 times causing catastrophic injuries to his head and neck – inflicting wounds of that nature is indicative of a frenzied attack, not self-defence.”

DCI Semple added: “I am pleased that this dangerous, violent individual will pay the penalty for his actions.

“My thoughts are with Errol’s family. I hope they can now find a measure of closure knowing that justice has been served.”

On July 20, Raekwon Hanniford-Brown was found guilty of the murder of Errol McKay after appearing at Croydon Crown Court and was remanded in custody to appear at the same court for sentencing on Friday, 21 July 2023.

In a statement, Errol’s family described him as “kind-hearted” and a “loving” family member and that he was “impossible to dislike.”

A spokesperson for Errol’s family said: "Errol was the youngest of nine children, the baby of the family.

“He was a loving son, brother, uncle and nephew. Errol was humble, funny and affectionate.

“A kind-hearted man who prioritised family.

"He extended his love and kindness beyond family; to friends and people in society who needed support.

“It was impossible to dislike Errol and as a result, he had many friends who loved him as he loved them. Errol’s door was always open.

"This man took Errol’s life then tried to run away. Some of us have been able to forgive, others have not, cannot and will not.

"Errol was taken from us too soon but leaves behind a legacy of love."