Man convicted of the murder of Ricardo Clarke

A man, who fatally stabbed Ricardo Clarke in Linacre Road, Willesden Green before calling police from a phone box to hand himself in, has today been convicted of murder.

Elyas Moussa, 30 (13.02.1995), of no fixed address, was found guilty of murdering Ricardo Clarke on Wednesday, 3 December, following a two week trial at the Old Bailey.

Police were called at 04:16hrs on Saturday, 28 December 2024 to reports of a stabbing in Linacre Road, Willesden Green. Officers attended and provided first aid to 35-year-old Ricardo before the London Ambulance Service arrived. Ricardo sadly died from his injuries on the way to hospital.

Detective Inspector Jonny Newell, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “Despite Moussa handing himself in, officers worked quickly to meticulously piece together what happened that night.

“The CCTV timeline, witness accounts and forensic evidence left no doubt that Moussa alone was responsible for Ricardo’s death.
“Today’s conviction brings justice for Ricardo’s family, who have shown incredible strength throughout the proceedings.”

Following Ricardo’s murder, officers compiled a CCTV timeline to follow the events leading up to the fatal stabbing.

The footage shown to the jury during the trial revealed that prior to the fatal stabbing, an altercation had taken place on Linacre Road between Ricardo and Moussa. During this incident, glass bottles were thrown before they both went their separate ways.

Moussa returned to Linacre Road shortly after, armed with a knife, ready to confront Ricardo again.

Shortly after a further encounter took place, where Ricardo was fatally stabbed.

Later that same day, police received a call from a phone box, miles away from the scene, from Moussa stating that he wished to hand himself in.

He was subsequently arrested and was charged with murder and possession of a bladed article on Sunday, 29 December 2024.

Moussa had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to possession of a pointed and bladed article in public on Saturday, 28 December 2024.

He will be sentenced at the same court on Wednesday, 17 December.