Dagenham Dinner Party Turns Deadly: Man Convicted of Manslaughter
A night of celebrations in Dagenham ended in tragedy after a man was convicted of manslaughter following a stabbing attack at a dinner party.
60-Year-Old Pleads Guilty at Woolwich Crown Court
Vasile Firanda, 60, from Marlborough Road, Dagenham, admitted manslaughter of 49-year-old Viorel Stefan and grievous bodily harm to a 55-year-old woman. The case was heard at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, 23 November. Firanda is slated for sentencing on 8 January 2021.
The Fatal Stabbing
The horror unfolded late on 14 December 2019. Police were called to a residential property on Marlborough Road at 11.10pm after London Ambulance Service reported a stabbing. At the scene, emergency teams found Viorel Stefan suffering from knife wounds to his back. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at 11.39pm.
The 55-year-old woman was also injured, stabbed through the back of her hand so violently the blade pierced her palm. She was treated at the scene before being rushed to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Alcohol, Arguments, and Language Barrier Spark Violence
Investigations revealed the attack occurred during a dinner party where Firanda had consumed a significant amount of alcohol. All guests were Romanian, but the victim and one other spoke Ukrainian during a conversation.
Firanda, who could not understand Ukrainian, grew angry and an argument erupted. When the female victim tried to intervene, Firanda attacked her before fatally stabbing Viorel.
A blood test showed Firanda’s alcohol level was three-and-a-half times the legal drinking limit.
Detective Chief Inspector Laurence Smith said: “This was a sad and needless loss of life. A personal affront, fuelled by alcohol, so quickly became murderously violent. What is clear is that the wounds that killed Mr Stefan were undoubtedly inflicted by Vasile Firanda and he will now face many years in prison as a result.”
