CCTV and forensics disprove claim of self-defence as man convicted of murder in Hayes

CCTV and forensic scene examination has helped to convict a murder suspect who claimed he acted in self-defence.

Sufian Choudry was found guilty of the murder of 40-year-old Krzysztof Baran in Hayes, following the conclusion of a trial at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, 19 July.

Choudry, 39, (04.06.85) of no fixed address was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at the same court on Wednesday, 24 July.

Detective Sergeant Andy Sheppard of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said: “This was a needless, brutal murder that Sufian Choudry initially tried to cover up, and then later tried to blame on the victim saying that he had acted in self-defence.

“I am pleased that the jury saw through the string of untruths that he told in a bid to get away with murder.”

The court heard that at around 11:00hrs on the morning of Saturday, 12 August 2023, police were called to reports of a man seriously injured at a multi-occupancy address on Nine Acres Close, Hayes.

Officers and London Ambulance Service [LAS] attended. Krzysztof was in his room at the address. He was not simply injured. Sadly, he had been dead for some time. There was also a significant amount of blood in the room which clearly indicated that it was a crime scene.

Choudry, who had called for the ambulance, was speaking with officers at the scene when they noticed small specs of blood on him. He was arrested on suspicion of murder. He was taken to a west London police station and on 14 August 2023 was charged with murder.

A post-mortem examination carried out on Sunday, 13 August 2023 gave cause of Krzysztof’s death as a stab wound. He was also found to have suffered bruising to his face.

Choudry claimed he had gone to the victim’s room that morning to check on him and to ask for a cigarette. He claimed he didn’t know what had happened to Krzysztof. He would later provide a prepared statement to police via his solicitor that claimed he had acted in self-defence.

CCTV recovered by officers at the address told a different story. Choudry was seen in Krzysztof’s room on the evening of Friday, 11 August, refusing to leave, despite the pleas of Krzysztof. Choudry assaulted Krzysztof by punching him in the side of his head. After the incident, Krzysztof told Choudry that he was going to call the police. After this, he followed Krzysztof into his room and arguing and banging can be heard on the CCTV before a scream is heard and Choudry was seen leaving Krzysztof’s room. In his right hand was a knife.

Choudry left the house shortly after and officers viewing CCTV footage could see that he had with him a knife, which he then hid under his t-shirt. He returned to the address a short while later and he was no longer carrying the knife. The murder weapon was never recovered. Over the course of the night, Choudry disposed of evidence such as his clothing. He returned to Krzysztof’s room at approximately 04:00hrs on Saturday, 12 August before finally calling the London Ambulance Service just before 11:00hrs.

Specialist analysis of the blood at the scene indicated that Krzysztof was standing when he was stabbed, refuting Choudry’s claim that Krzysztof fell on the knife during a struggle.

Krzysztof’s former partner said: “Despite the fact that I was not in a relationship with Krzysztof at the time of the incident, his murder is still an immense sadness, not only to me, but especially to our daughter.

“At just 12 years old, her father was murdered. After months of help and support, my daughter is often still upset. Struggling to understand why someone would kill her father, she often blames herself for what had happened, thinking that had she done or said something different, her father would still be alive. No child should have to deal with the death of their parent in such a circumstance, and they should not blame themselves for their death.

“As a family we are slowly coming to terms with Krzysztof's death, my daughter will never be the same happy girl with a huge smile on her face.

“No verdict or sentence will be able to bring my daughter's father back to life. Not only will my daughter have to grow up and go through her life without a father figure, but also knowing that her father was murdered. Despite this, we are aware that justice has prevailed in him being found guilty.”

DS Sheppard added: “My thoughts are with Krzysztof’s family. Though nothing can bring him back, I hope that the end of the trial and the guilty verdict brings them a measure of comfort. Sufian Choudry is a violent individual and the public will be safer now that he is incarcerated.”