Hamza Kamali, 29, was convicted at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, July 22, of the murder of 38-year-old Saley Beya.
The incident occurred outside a Romford Road club in the early hours of Saturday, August 10, 2024.
Saley and his friends had attended a party in Stratford on the evening of Friday, August 9, before heading to the nightclub, arriving at 2.30am.
An hour later, an altercation broke out between one of Saley’s friends and a group of men linked to Kamali.
Following the disturbance, Kamali appeared at the scene and had a brief interaction with Saley.
The situation rapidly escalated with Kamali stabbing Saley in the leg.
Despite his injury, Saley managed to flee, but Kamali pursued and kicked him repeatedly as he attempted to escape.
Kamali eventually gave up the chase and returned to Romford Road before leaving with others.
Meanwhile, Saley collapsed from his wound on the street.
Emergency services arrived and attempted to stem the bleeding, but Saley went into cardiac arrest on his way to hospital.
He remained in a critical condition for nearly three weeks before dying on August 30.
After the stabbing, Kamali returned home but was seen 30 minutes later in different clothes carrying a full plastic bag, which he discarded
The bag was never recovered.
When Kamali was arrested on August 16, a search of his home turned up a pair of bloodstained trainers, later identified as his.
He also had a noticeable hand injury, which CCTV footage showed him tending to with a tissue immediately after the stabbing.
Blood from this injury was found at the crime scene, suggesting Kamali injured himself with the knife during the attack on Saley.
Detective Superintendent Kelly Allen of Specialist Crime North said: “Saley’s family and loved ones have endured incredible pain and suffering over this past year and I am thinking of them today as they process this outcome.
“Kamali’s actions that night were violent and deliberate.
“He went out armed with a knife – clearly intent on causing harm.”
Kamali was also found guilty of possession of an offensive weapon.
He is due for sentencing at the Old Bailey on Thursday, July 24.
In relation to the same incident, two other men, Edson Bernardo (left) and Abdi Ulusow (right). (Image: MPS) They pleaded guilty to affray and possession of offensive weapons (machete and pole).
They will also be sentenced on July 24.
Detective Superintendent Allen added: “We will never know what prompted his interaction with Saley, but it is clear he is a very dangerous individual with little regard for human life and I’m pleased the jury were able to recognise the threat he poses to the public.”
