A man who stabbed a father-of-one to death has been jailed for seven years.
Louis Smellie, 44, of North Birkbeck Road, Leytonstone, was last week found guilty of the manslaughter of Patrick Williams, a former soldier and known drug dealer. He was sentenced yesterday.
His girlfriend, Sharon Appleby, 34, of Sansom Road, Leytonstone, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice and jailed for 18 months.
The killing happened in October last year following a row between Smellie and Mr Williams at Smellie's home. Mr Williams left the house after an argument between the two, but when he returned he was stabbed in the chest with a carving knife by Smellie.
The victim staggered outside and collapsed over the bonnet of a car. Smellie then went on the run for nine days before he was eventually found in Sheerness, Kent.
Appleby took the knife immediately after the stabbing and buried it in builders' rubble nearby.
Murder charges against Clive Best, 32, of Vancouver Road, Edgware, were dropped during the course of the trial.
May 30, 2003 14:30
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