Jail term of 23 years handed to Wimbledon hostel killer

A man has been jailed for life for fatally stabbing a fellow resident at a hostel in Wimbledon.

Paul Dalton, who was aged 41, was attacked by another resident who had sought him out after a brief verbal disagreement a short time earlier.

On Friday, July 1, Mongo Bolili, 35, also known as ‘Ed’, of Merton, was convicted at the Old Bailey of murdering Paul in a brief but deadly assault as he was sitting in another resident’s room at the venue.

He was sentenced on Friday to life imprisonment with a minimum of 23 years, reduced to 21 years and 72 days due to time spent in custody.

An investigation was launched after police were called to a hostel in The Broadway just before 1am on January 13, 2021, to reports of a stabbing.

Paul was found in a pool of blood. Despite extensive efforts to save him he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem gave cause of death as a single stab wound to the back of the left thigh, puncturing the femoral vein and artery.

CCTV captured Paul slamming a communal door, adjacent to Bolili’s room. Bolili then searched the building, apparently looking for Paul.

At around 12.30am, Paul was sitting in a friend’s room, before Bolili entered and then left in less than two minutes. This was when the attack happened. Paul’s friend witnessed the attack and gave crucial evidence at trial.

Paul’s friend alerted residents and staff who called police and rendered first aid.

Forensic examination found Paul’s blood on the blade and Bolili’s DNA on the handle.

DCI Jim Shirley, who led the investigation, said: “Bolili claimed Paul’s friend had stabbed him, but there was no evidence at all to support this.

“I hope Paul’s family can derive some comfort that we have done everything we possibly could to bring them justice.”

Pictured top: Paul Dalton (Pictures: Met Police)