A man has been jailed for life following the fatal stabbing of Bledi Petraj, 37, during a fight in Enfield.
Kozma Papa, 22, of Fairview Road, Cheltenham, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court on Friday, 6 December, after pleading guilty to murder at an earlier hearing. He was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years. Papa also admitted to possession of a bladed article, receiving a concurrent nine-month sentence.
The Incident
Police and London Ambulance Service were called to Queen Elizabeth’s Drive, Enfield, at 2:04 p.m. on Sunday, 4 February, following reports of a stabbing.
Upon arrival, officers found Bledi Petraj, a resident of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, suffering from severe knife injuries. Despite the efforts of paramedics at the scene and hospital staff, Petraj succumbed to his injuries that afternoon.
Specialist officers provided support to Petraj’s family, who continue to grieve his tragic loss.
Arrest and Investigation
Kozma Papa was arrested the same day after officers stopped a vehicle in Hertfordshire. He was charged with murder the following day.
A 30-year-old man who was also arrested in connection with the investigation was released without further action.
Police Statement
Detective Sergeant Matthew Goode, who led the investigation, said:
“My thoughts are with Bledi’s family and loved ones who continue to mourn his tragic death. This was a fight that ended in a senseless loss of life, and Papa will now rightly spend a significant amount of time in prison.”
The case underscores the devastating consequences of knife violence, which continues to impact communities across London and beyond.
Sentencing
Papa’s life sentence reflects the gravity of his crime, ensuring he will serve at least 20 years behind bars before being considered for parole. Authorities hope the conviction sends a strong message about the consequences of carrying and using knives.
