Market Trader Murdered in Brutal Jubilee Park Stabbing
Lukasz Siemienowicz, 41, from Edmonton, has been found guilty of murdering Julio Gomes, 29, following a violent attack in Jubilee Park. The verdict came after a two-week trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
Chilling Attack in Edmonton
Julio Gomes, a hardworking market trader and cleaner supporting his family, was stabbed shortly after 8pm on Saturday, 14 September 2019. The attack happened in the grounds of the Old Edmontonians’ Sports & Social Club, just a stone’s throw from his fruit and veg stall at Edmonton Green Market.
Julio had finished work for the day and often relaxed at the park. Though he had invited a friend, he was alone when Siemienowicz, drunk and high on cocaine, suddenly attacked him near the Grandstand, about 65 metres from the clubhouse.
The Deadly Chase and Immediate Aftermath
After stabbing Julio, Siemienowicz pursued him across the park. Witnesses drinking nearby saw the chilling chase end near the clubhouse. As Julio collapsed, bleeding heavily from a stomach wound, he managed to utter, “The man’s mad, he’s just stabbed me.”
A nearby woman pressed her hoodie to Julio’s wound while a man called 999. Despite paramedics’ efforts, Julio was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem confirmed the cause of death as a stab wound to the abdomen.
Drunken Killer Caught at Scene
Party guests detained a disoriented and intoxicated Siemienowicz after he dropped the kitchen knife. Reportedly, he said, “I’m sorry, only God can save me.” Police found he had been drinking heavily and using large amounts of cocaine in the 24 hours before the attack. He required sedation before hospital treatment.
During police interviews, Siemienowicz claimed he was attacked first and wielded the knife in self-defence. He even denied memory of the stabbing and insisted he never intended to kill Julio.
Justice for Julio Gomes
Detective Sergeant Dolores Connolly of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, who led the investigation, stated:
“It was a swift and savage act that ended the life of Julio Gomes. The jury rightly saw through Siemienowicz’s defence and convicted him of murder.
“Julio, originally from Guinea Bissau, worked six days a week to provide for his family and was simply going about his daily routine when tragedy struck.
“Siemienowicz was high on cocaine and claimed no memory of killing Julio. He now faces a lengthy jail sentence, rightly protecting others from harm. Our thanks go to the brave members of the public who helped detain such a dangerous man.”
Heartbreaking Tribute from Julio’s Family
Julio’s mother, Mrs Cadi Gomes, said:
“Julio was our golden boy, our first born. He belonged to a humble and honest family and had a strong work ethic.
“He leaves behind three children – twin boys aged 12 and a daughter aged eight. Nothing will bring Julio back, but seeing his killer convicted brings some peace.
“We’ll never understand why he was taken so brutally and without reason. We do not want any other family to suffer as we have. We are grateful to the police and court for securing justice for Julio.”
Siemienowicz had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter and knife possession but denied murder until the jury’s decision.
He will be sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday, 13 December.
