A cold-blooded killer calmly handed himself in after fatally stabbing Ricardo Clarke in Willesden Green.
Brutal Murder on Linacre Road
Elyas Moussa, 30, homeless, was found guilty of murdering Ricardo Clarke after a fierce two-week trial at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, 3 December.
Police were called to Linacre Road at 4.16am on Saturday, 28 December 2024, following reports of a stabbing. Officers discovered Ricardo, 35, critically wounded. Despite urgent paramedic efforts, he died on the way to hospital.
CCTV and Confession Seal Moussa’s Fate
Detective Inspector Jonny Newell of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command revealed Moussa’s own confession gave police a crucial breakthrough.
“Despite Moussa handing himself in, officers worked quickly to meticulously piece together what happened that night. The CCTV timeline, witness accounts and forensic evidence left no doubt that Moussa alone was responsible for Ricardo’s death. Today’s conviction brings justice for Ricardo’s family, who have shown incredible strength throughout the proceedings.”
Trial footage exposed a chilling sequence. Ricardo and Moussa initially clashed, throwing glass bottles at each other. After briefly separating, Moussa returned armed with a knife, triggering the deadly attack.
Killer Phones 999 to Surrender
Later that day, Moussa called 999 from a phone box miles away, confessing he wanted to give himself up. He was arrested and charged the next day with murder and possession of a bladed weapon.
He also admitted to carrying a pointed and bladed article in public on the day of the attack.
Sentencing is set for Wednesday, 17 December at the Old Bailey.
