Two jailed for murder after detectives pieced together their movements following fatal stabbing

An investigation by detectives that pieced together the movements of two men before and after a fatal stabbing in Barnet has resulted in their convictions and jailing for murder.

The jury heard that in March 2023, Stefan Stelian Moraru had been attacked during a robbery and left to die by the side of a road.

Armand Tafa, 40 (29.04.83) and Migen Emilova, 35 (5.08.88) who are both of no fixed address were found guilty of murder at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, 20 March.

Tafa was found guilty of robbery. Emilova had pleaded guilty to robbery before the trial.

On Friday, 22 March, Emilova and Tafa were both sentenced to life with a minimum term of 27 years. They were sentenced to 10 years for robbery to be served concurrently.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, from the Specialist Crime Command, led the investigation. He said: “Firstly, our thoughts today are with Stefan’s family who have had to endure listening to the horrific details of the night he was murdered.

“His life was taken in an act of violence, and he was abandoned in the street to die alone. No one should have to spend the last minutes of their life in such circumstances.

“It is only right that Armand Tafa and Migen Emilova – who blamed each other for the murder – have been convicted and they now face many years in prison to contemplate their actions.”

Police were called to Chandos Avenue, N20 at about 06:00hrs on 20 March 2023 to reports of a man injured in the street. On arrival they found 44-year-old Stefan who was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination confirmed that he died as a result of a stab wound to the heart.

Detectives discovered that Stefan had left his home at about 22:00hrs on 19 March 2023, telling his housemates he would be back in 10 minutes. He never returned.

It was later established that he was ambushed at some point between 22:30 and 23:00hrs. He was attacked and robbed before being left seriously injured.

CCTV from the area was found to have footage showing Tafa and Emilova approach Stefan’s Ford Focus before struggling with him.

Stefan was able to run away but it is believed that by this point, he had been stabbed.

The two men searched his car before stealing it and driving away in convoy. They parked the Focus on Simmons’ Way where they carried out a second search.

Although the motive remains unclear, it is thought that there was an argument between the three men involving drugs.

Detectives from the Specialist Crime Command were able to identify the two men, and they were arrested within a week.

Armand Tafa, 40 (29.04.83) and Migen Emilova, 35 (5.08.88) who are both of no fixed address were found guilty of murder at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, 20 March.

Tafa was found guilty of robbery. Emilova had pleaded guilty to robbery before the trial.

On Friday, 22 March, Emilova and Tafa were both sentenced to life with a minimum term of 27 years. They were sentenced to 10 years for robbery to be served concurrently.