Brutal Murder in Canterbury Car Park: Suspect Found Guilty
Sobantu Sibanda has been found guilty of murdering 51-year-old Guy Malbec, who was living rough in a Castle Street car park.
Violent Attack Caught on CCTV
On Monday afternoon, 10 April 2023, Kent Police responded to reports of a fatal assault at the car park. They discovered Mr Malbec’s body inside a sleeping bag in a tent on the lower ground floor. A post-mortem revealed he died from blunt force trauma to his head, face, and torso.
Investigators from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate uncovered that the attack occurred during the early hours of Sunday 9 April. CCTV footage showed a man, later identified as Sibanda, repeatedly assaulting Mr Malbec over roughly an hour.
Motive and Aftermath: Theft and Destruction
During the trial, Sibanda claimed he thought Mr Malbec had stolen drugs from his tent. He became violent and used the victim’s own laptop and a wooden gavel to beat him from around 4:40am to 5:35am.
Sibanda wasn’t alone. He and three other men – Keith Hall, Gavin Houghton, and Airidas Sakalauskas – were seen rifling through Mr Malbec’s belongings after the attack. They destroyed personal items and stole valuables, including sentimental pink sapphires and a silver pillbox. Crucially, Mr Malbec’s phone was taken, preventing him from calling 999 for help.
Later, the group returned to remove the tent, bloodstained items, and clear the scene. Mr Malbec’s body was left inside Sibanda’s tent until discovered by police.
Arrests and Court Drama
- Sibanda, 28, homeless, was arrested on 10 April.
- Houghton, 50, and Sakalauskas, 22, both from Old Dover Road, Canterbury, were arrested next day.
- Hall, 51, from Athelstan Road, Canterbury, was arrested on 13 April.
All four men admitted to perverting the course of justice. Sibanda pleaded guilty to manslaughter but was ultimately found guilty of murder after a six-week trial at Canterbury Crown Court. Hall, Houghton, and Sakalauskas were cleared of murder charges.
Detective Condemns Callous Attack
“This was a brutal, prolonged attack on Mr Malbec, who once had a promising life but was left vulnerable and living on the streets,” said Detective Chief Inspector Kath Way of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.
“Sibanda left him to die, callously disposing of his property with no remorse. I hope today’s verdict brings some comfort to Mr Malbec’s family as they try to rebuild after this horrific crime.”
