A tragic incident unfolded in Wembley, north London, as a homeless man, Milton Hurlington, 42, was allegedly fatally stabbed by a teenager shortly after being taken to a local park by police, aiming to prevent a potential altercation. The devastating events transpired on the evening of July 17, 2023.
According to the Old Bailey, officers had responded to calls involving Mr Hurlington twice earlier that day due to his confrontational behaviour towards a bus driver and at a Lidl supermarket. Subsequently, they decided to escort him to King Edward VII park in the hope of averting further conflicts.
However, Mr. Hurlington’s presence in the park allegedly led to a verbal altercation with a group of young men, during which one of them reportedly smashed the victim’s alcohol bottle. Tragically, this encounter escalated into a fatal confrontation, resulting in Mr. Hurlington being stabbed in the right armpit with a broken vodka bottle.
The accused, Wael Farroukh, 19, from Wembley, stands trial for Mr. Hurlington’s murder and the possession of an offensive weapon. He denies the charges, claiming self-defence.
Farroukh alleged that Mr. Hurlington insulted him and his friends with derogatory remarks, prompting him to act in self-defence by smashing the bottle. However, Mr. Hurlington sustained fatal injuries during the altercation.
Prosecutor Julian Evans KC detailed the sequence of events leading up to the tragic incident, including encounters with the bus driver and security staff at the supermarket, both indicating Mr. Hurlington’s intoxicated and confrontational state.
As the trial continues at the Harrow Crown Court, sitting at the Old Bailey, further testimony and evidence are expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding Mr. Hurlington’s untimely demise. The proceedings are scheduled to last three weeks, with the quest for justice unfolding against the backdrop of a heartbreaking loss.
