Wimbledon hostel dweller convicted of murdering fellow resident

A man has been convicted of murder after 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, Mongo Bolili, 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, which mainly houses people with addiction issues and other vulnerabilities.

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Shirley, who led the investigation, said: “Paul was unarmed and, despite a verbal row, did not pose any physical harm to Bolili. The attack on him was utterly unnecessary.”

An investigation was launched after police were called just before 1am on January 13, 2021 to reports of a stabbing at an address in Wimbledon.

The Met did not confirm which hostel it was.

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

A post-mortem examination 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.

Paul was sitting in a friend’s room, before Bolili entered and then left in less than two minutes after the attack. Paul’s friend witnessed it 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 Shirley added: “Bolili claimed Paul’s friend had stabbed him, but there was no evidence at all to support this, my team of officers worked fast and incredibly hard for Paul and I thank them for their diligence and dedication.

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

Two more on trial, Ian Matu and Danny Webster, were found not guilty of perverting the course of justice. Bolili will be sentenced at a later date.

Pictured top: The victim Paul Dalton (Picture: Met Police)