Drunken Killer Used Victim’s Card to Buy Booze After Fatal Stabbing
Matthew Chibnall plunged a knife into his friend Anil Vegad’s back – then went on a binge using Vegad’s bank card while his body lay in their Coventry flat.
Chibnall Cracks and Confesses to Police
Chibnall finally showed up at Coventry police station on 1 June, but only because he could no longer access Vegad’s funds. There, he confessed to the murder.
Officers rushed to the Eden Street flat and found 57-year-old Anil dead in the living room, suffering a fatal stab wound. Two other deep knife marks were found in a chair nearby.
Killer’s Bizarre Claim: ‘I Was Just Trying to Get His Attention’
Chibnall claimed he’d “thrust a knife” at the chair to grab his friend’s attention because Vegad was acting strangely during a drinking session on Easter Monday. Vegad fell ill and collapsed the next day.
Despite admitting, “If you do the crime, you gotta do the time,” Chibnall denied deliberately killing his friend after being charged with murder.
Convicted After Trial – Faces Life Behind Bars
But authorities proved Chibnall intended to kill or cause serious harm. The 55-year-old was convicted at Coventry Crown Court and awaits sentencing.
“We have all been devastated as a family. Although justice has been served, this will never bring our Dad back,” the victim’s family said.
“He was a loving, kind and generous person who lit up every room he entered. He was well known and loved in the community and will be deeply missed but never forgotten.”
Detective Slams Chibnall’s Callous Actions
Detective Inspector Hannah Whitehouse of the homicide team said: “We may never know exactly what happened in that flat, but we believe Chibnall stabbed the chair twice before plunging the knife into Mr Vegad.”
“He could have called emergency services and saved his friend’s life. Instead, he left him to die and stole his bank card to keep buying alcohol. He now faces life in prison for murder.”
