Friend stabbed to death before killer went on booze spree using victim’s card
Chilling Crime in Coventry Flat
Matthew Chibnall stabbed his mate Anil Vegad to death in their flat on Eden Street, Coventry. Instead of calling for help, he used Anil’s bank card to splash out on alcohol while his body lay lifeless.
It wasn’t until weeks later, on 1 June, when Chibnall could no longer access the victim’s funds, that he turned himself in at Coventry police station and confessed to the murder.
Shocking Police Findings
Police rushed to the flat and found 57-year-old Anil dead in the living room with a fatal stab wound to his back. Two other deep knife marks were found carved into a chair nearby.
Chibnall claimed he had stabbed the chair to snap Anil out of erratic behaviour during a drinking binge on Easter Monday. He said Anil collapsed the next day feeling unwell.
Killer Denies Intent but Evidence Tells Another Story
Despite telling officers, “If you do the crime, you gotta do the time I suppose,” Chibnall denied deliberately killing his friend. But the evidence showed he intended to kill or seriously injure Anil.
The 55-year-old was convicted at Coventry Crown Court and now faces a life sentence. Sentencing is due at a later date.
Family Mourns ‘Loving, Kind and Generous’ Dad
“We have all been devastated as a family. Although justice has been served, this will never bring our Dad back,” said Anil Vegad’s family.
“He was a loving, kind and generous person. Whenever our Dad walked into a room he would light it up.
“Our Dad was well known in the community and well loved by everyone. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten, always in our hearts.”
Detective Slams Killer’s Callous Actions
Detective Inspector Hannah Whitehouse 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 potentially saved his friend’s life. Instead, he left him to die and stole his card to buy alcohol weeks after the murder.
“We proved he intended to kill or seriously harm Mr Vegad. He now faces a life sentence for murder.”
