uknip247 
In a shocking and brutal crime that has left the community reeling, Oscar Castano-Colque, 21, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his love rival, Rafioullah Malik, on a bustling London bus along Oxford Street. The incident, which unfolded on February 28 last year, saw Castano-Colque carry out a ferocious attack, stabbing 20-year-old Malik repeatedly in the head with a flick knife in front of horrified passengers.
The harrowing details emerged during the trial at Croydon Crown Court, where it was revealed that Castano-Colque’s violent outburst was triggered by jealousy over his pregnant girlfriend, Sanaa Taha, who had ended their relationship after discovering his infidelity. Despite Taha’s repeated refusals and attempts to move on, Castano-Colque persisted, resorting to desperate measures to win her back.
Just moments before the fatal attack, Taha texted Castano-Colque to inform him of her plans to meet her new partner, Malik. The prosecutor, Edward Brown KC, highlighted the sequence of events leading up to the tragedy, emphasizing Castano-Colque’s relentless pursuit despite the clear rejection by Taha.
CCTV footage presented in court captured Castano-Colque’s calculated movements leading up to the attack. He was seen on his bicycle near his residence before making his way to Oxford Circus, where he waited for Taha and Malik to board a westbound 94 bus. Once onboard, Castano-Colque approached the couple and launched a savage assault on Malik without provocation, inflicting fatal injuries within seconds.
Witnesses described the assailant’s demeanor as agitated and frantic, with passengers initially mistaking the attack for a punch until they saw the knife. Despite attempts by Taha to intervene, Castano-Colque showed no remorse, fleeing the scene after the assault.
Following his arrest, Castano-Colque attempted to deceive psychiatrists by feigning psychosis, hoping to evade justice. However, further investigation revealed his deception, leading to his guilty plea on charges of murder and possession of a bladed article.
During sentencing, Judge Peter Gower KC condemned the senseless act of violence, describing it as savage and premeditated. He noted Castano-Colque’s attempt to hide evidence and his previous convictions for weapon possession, balancing it against his troubled upbringing and mental health struggles.
In delivering the life sentence with a minimum term of 25 years and six months, Judge Gower underscored the gravity of the offense, emphasizing that jealousy and rejection provided no justification for Castano-Colque’s heinous actions.
The tragic loss of Rafioullah Malik, a young man with aspirations for a better life, has deeply affected his family and friends. Having fled Afghanistan to seek safety and opportunity in the UK, Malik’s dreams were shattered in a senseless act of violence.
