A man has been jailed for life after stabbing his ex-wife in her home in Dulwich.

Stony Stoica of Lordship Lane appeared at Inner London Crown Court yesterday (February 1) for the murder of 26-year-old Beatrice Cenusa.

The 44-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 18 years.

He had previously pleaded guilty at the same court.

Police were called on a Friday night (July 23, 2021) at around 10.10pm to Beatrice’s home in Lordship Lane.

Beatrice’s neighbour found her lying “in a pool of blood” in the hallway of her home.

Emergency services attended the scene but despite their efforts, she died in hospital several hours later.

Their nine-year-old daughter was also in the next room during the attack.

The man handed himself into Peckham Police station where he told officers he murdered his ex-wife, less than an hour after the attack.

CCTV enquiries showed him walking towards the victim’s address shortly after 10pm and running from the direction of the house around nine minutes later.

Items including his mobile phone, wallet and ID cards were left at the property.

Detective chief inspector Katherine Goodwin, who led the investigation, said: “Stoica’s attack was so vicious that Beatrice was discovered with the knife still embedded in her chest.

“He is clearly an extremely dangerous man and it is right that he will now spend a significant amount of his life in jail.

“Not only did he kill a completely innocent women, he also had no regard for the fact their nine-year-old daughter was in the next room.

“She will have to live with losing her mother in these traumatic circumstances for the rest of her life.

“Our thoughts today remain with her and the rest of Beatrice’s family.”

A Met Police spokesperson said: “On Tuesday, February 1, Stony Stoica, 44 (03.02.77) of Lordship Lane, Dulwich, appeared at Inner London Crown Court where he was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 18 years, for the murder of 26-year-old Beatrice Cenusa.

“He had previously pleaded guilty at the same court.

“Police were called at around 10:09pm on Friday, July 23, 2021, after Beatrice’s neighbour found her lying in a pool of blood in the hallway of her home on Lordship Lane, SE22.

“Officers attended alongside the London Ambulance Service but despite their efforts, she died in hospital several hours later.

“Less than an hour after the attack, Stoica handed himself into Peckham police station where he told officers he had just murdered his ex-wife.

“CCTV enquiries showed him walking towards the victim’s address at 10.01pm and running from the direction of the house around nine minutes later.

“Items including his mobile phone, wallet and ID cards had also been left at the property.”

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