A man who fatally stabbed 31-year-old Reece Newcombe near Richmond Bridge in November 2022 has been convicted of murder following a detailed investigation by the Metropolitan Police. Ross Hamilton, 34, of Isleworth, was found guilty by a unanimous jury at the Old Bailey.
Hamilton was also convicted of assaulting another individual on the same night outside Viva nightclub, where he was seen behaving aggressively following a World Cup match between England and the USA. The altercation that led to Reece’s tragic death occurred in the early hours of 26 November 2022 when Hamilton, after taunting several people, engaged in a fight with Reece and used a broken glass shard to stab him in the neck.
Despite efforts from an off-duty police officer and emergency services to save him, Reece died hours later in hospital. Hamilton fled the scene but surrendered to police two days later. He will be sentenced on 11 October.
Detective Inspector Kevin Martin described the attack as a “cowardly act,” emphasizing the senselessness of the violence and praising Reece’s family for their strength during the two-year ordeal. Reece’s family expressed their heartbreak, condemning Hamilton’s actions as those of a “callous bully” and mourning the loss of a loving father and friend. They thanked the witnesses, police, and jury for helping bring justice.
This case highlights the devastating consequences of violent behaviour and the enduring pain felt by families affected by such tragedies.
