A man has been convicted of murder in Ealing at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday 24th March. 

Timothy Simon, 59, of Englefield Road, N1, was found guilty of the murder of Wayne Phillips, 58, on Saturday 23rd July 2022 inside a pub on Uxbridge Road, W13. 

Simon will be back at Isleworth Crown Court on 5th April for sentencing. 

DCI Neil Rawlinson said: "This was a senseless murder that was committed for no other reason than insecurity.  

"Timothy Simon's actions have left Wayne Phillips's loved ones devastated and even now, almost a year on, they continue to struggle to come to terms with their loss. Our thoughts are with them today." 

The police were called to a pub on Uxbridge Road at 11.55pm on 23rd July 2022 after receiving reports of a man sustaining stab injuries, Phillips was found with a stab wound to the heart and despite the best efforts of emergency services to save him, he was pronounced dead at 12.29pm on Sunday 24th July. 

The police enquiries found that Wayne and two female companions came to the pub for a birthday party, within minutes of their arrival, Simon approached Wayne and the pair fought briefly before Wayne collapsed after being stabbed in the chest. 

Simon left the scene, but was then arrested by police on 25th July 2022 on suspicion of murder and was charged on the same day. 

The defendant and victim were known to each other but they did not have a friendly relationship, largely due to Simon having been in a relationship with Wayne's long-term partner – which was a situation that Simon could not accept. 

DCI Rawlinson said: "The entire encounter was captured on CCTV and although Simon maintained at trial that the folding knife was not his, he could be seen initially making a stabbing movement with his right hand, before extending the blade and using it to stab Mr Phillips. 

"I am pleased that the right verdict was reached and that Wayne Phillips' loved ones may find a small measure of comfort in knowing that the man who took Wayne from them has been held to account."