‘My whole family have been given a life sentence’: Mother speaks out after son murdered by housemate

A man who stabbed his housemate 14 times following a row has been convicted of murder and jailed for 18 years.

Christopher Baptiste, 54, of Loampit Vale, by Lewisham station, stabbed 36-year-old Sonny Booty in a bedroom at the property they shared after a drink-fuelled argument.

He was found guilty of murder at the Old Bailey on Friday and was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 18 years.

Mr Booty’s mother, Kim Booty, said: “No mother should ever have to go and identify their child in a mortuary. 

“The impact of all this has left me suffering with extreme anxiety and having regular panic attacks. 

“I feel like my whole family have all been given a life sentence. 

“I physically find it so hard to function every day and feel so vulnerable. I have family around me, but I also feel very alone.

“I have not slept the same since that day and I often wake up thinking about Sonny.

“This has also had a profound effect on Sonny’s children. 

“They are all very scared all of the time. No child should have to deal with the death of their parents, much less a death in this horrific way.

“Sonny’s death has such an impact on so many people and so many events. He will be missed forever.”

On August 13, 2022, Baptiste and the victim had been at The Anchor pub in Lewisham drinking and playing pool. 

They were getting along well but then at around 10.45pm a disagreement broke out between the two.

They were thrown out of the pub and both went home where the argument continued, culminating in Baptiste attacking Mr Booty in a bedroom at the property. He stabbed him 14 times in his face, chest, arms and legs.

Baptiste then roused an upstairs occupant, and the two went for a walk together where Baptiste indicated that something had happened, but refused to go into detail. The friend told him if it was very serious he should tell the police.

Baptiste spoke no more about it and they returned home. He then called a couple of his friends and told them something bad had happened and that he wouldn’t be seeing them for a while.

At around 9am the next day, Baptiste walked into Lewisham police station and told the front desk officer: “I’ve murdered my flatmate.”

Officers attended the Lewisham address where they found Mr Booty in the garden. They attempted CPR but he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

A post mortem examination concluded that a stab wound to his chest was the fatal injury.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil John said: “My thoughts are with Mr Booty’s family and loved ones. 

“I have seen first-hand the impact his brutal murder has had on them, and know this is something they will never get over. 

“Hopefully seeing the man responsible held to account will be of some comfort to them.

“The pair were believed to be prone to arguments, but in this case there were devastating consequences which have ruined the lives of many.”

Pictured top: Christopher Baptiste (Picture: The Met)