A man who murdered his ex-girlfriend’s father in a “savage” knife attack has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 29 years after being captured at the Notting Hill Carnival following a month-long manhunt. Kamar Williams, 34, stabbed bus driver Derek Thomas, 55, five times on Stoke Newington Common in Hackney, north-east London, on 30 July 2024.
Williams, from West Ferry Road in the Isle of Dogs, was convicted of murder and possession of an offensive weapon at the Old Bailey earlier this month. Her Honour Judge Angela Rafferty KC told the court on Friday that Williams had been “simmering with rage” on the night of the killing after arguing with his former partner, Carron Thomas, and her family.
The court heard that Williams had sent threatening text messages to Ms Thomas hours before the attack, warning her to “watch this space. Police were called twice by the victim’s daughter in the hours leading up to the fatal stabbing as Williams’ behaviour escalated.
Fatal Encounter on Stoke Newington Common
At approximately 11pm on 30 July, Derek Thomas was walking home after finishing a late shift as a bus driver for Go-Ahead London at the Northumberland Park garage in Tottenham. The grandfather had stopped at Tesco to buy food before heading to his home on Benthal Road. Williams, who had been searching for Ms Thomas and her father that evening, spotted Mr Thomas on Stoke Newington Common as he drove away from the victim’s empty house.
CCTV footage captured Williams stopping his grey van in the middle of the road before getting out and launching the attack. The shopping bag’s contents were left strewn across the pavement and road following the brutal assault. A member of the public called 999 at 11:04pm reporting that a man had been stabbed with a “very big knife”.
Emergency services arrived swiftly, but despite their efforts, Mr Thomas was pronounced dead at the scene. The attack left the tight-knit community shocked and the victim’s colleagues at the bus depot devastated by the loss of a respected driver known for his dedication and friendly demeanour.
Judge Condemns “Merciless” Attack
Judge Rafferty delivered scathing remarks during sentencing, telling Williams: “I am sure that you intended to kill Derek Thomas. This was a merciless and determined attack.” She noted the particular cruelty of the crime, stating: “You killed him even though at one time you saw him as a father figure. You knew how important he was to his wife and his children, as you had lived alongside them for two years.”
The judge characterised the murder as an act of “revenge because of your own fury” and described it as involving “savage violence. She rejected Williams’ claim of self-defence, in which he alleged Mr Thomas had produced a knife and that he had merely wanted to talk about his relationship with the victim’s daughter.
“I am sure that in your frustration and anger, you planned to have a violent confrontation with one of the Thomas family that night,” Judge Rafferty stated, highlighting the premeditated nature of the attack.
Month-Long Fugitive Hunt
Following the murder, Williams embarked on a calculated attempt to evade justice. Detective Inspector John Marriott, who led the investigation, described how Williams showed “clear intent that night, driving to Derek’s home, waiting for the right moment, and carrying out this senseless act of violence.”
The investigation progressed rapidly when police discovered an abandoned grey van on Langford Close in Hackney on 1 August. Inside, officers found a bank card belonging to Williams on the driver’s seat, directly linking him to the vehicle. Automatic Number Plate Recognition analysis revealed the van had travelled multiple times between the crime scene and Williams’ home address.
Further evidence emerged when investigators discovered Williams had sought treatment at a local hospital for a 5cm cut to his left knee on 31 July, the day after the murder. This injury provided additional forensic evidence tying him to the violent incident.
On 3 August, traffic officers attempted to stop a silver BMW on Burnt Ash Hill in south-east London, but the driver fled. It was later established that Williams was behind the wheel of the hired vehicle. Following the failed traffic stop, Williams left London temporarily in an effort to avoid arrest.
Carnival Capture
The manhunt culminated on 26 August 2024 when Metropolitan Police officers identified and arrested Williams within the footprint of the Notting Hill Carnival. The popular annual event, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors, provided cover for the fugitive but ultimately became the scene of his capture.
Williams was charged with murder the following day. Throughout the investigation, his distinctive reflective trainers, visible in CCTV footage from the night of the murder, helped officers track his movements and build their case against him.
DI Marriott praised the investigation team’s work, stating: “The swift response from our officers, combined with extensive CCTV, forensic work, and determination from our investigation team, led to his arrest and conviction.”
Family’s Devastating Loss
The impact of Mr Thomas’s death reverberated through his family and the wider community. His daughter Carron Thomas described her father as a “kind, gentle and loving man” who “did not deserve to have his life taken in such a senseless way.”
In a victim impact statement read to the court, she revealed the additional pain caused by the killer’s identity: “What makes this loss even more painful is that the person responsible is someone I shared a relationship with. My family is broken. We are trying to carry on, but we do so with heavy hearts, we feel our father’s absence in every moment.”
Mr Thomas’s sister, Blondelle Thomas, painted a picture of a dedicated family man who had been married for 35 years. My brother Derek Thomas was cruelly and brutally ripped away from me and all who loved and cared about him on July 30 2024,” she told the court. “I cannot hold my brother, I’ll never hear his words ‘I love you sister’ again. I’m truly grateful to have had Derek’s love and trust in my life.”
She described her brother as a “dedicated bus driver” and revealed he had been a “prolific footballer who retired early due to injury. The family statement emphasised Derek’s role as the cornerstone of their lives: “Derek was the life and soul of the family. Derek was always on hand to provide support, knowledge, advice and was a calming influence when it was required.”
Community Impact
Tom Joyner, managing director of Go-Ahead London, expressed the company’s grief at losing a valued colleague: “It is with great sadness that our colleague Derek Thomas, a driver for Go-Ahead London was fatally injured in an isolated incident while on his way home from work. The entire team at Go-Ahead London is saddened by this incident and the tragic loss of one of their colleagues.”
Fellow bus drivers took to social media to pay tribute, with one colleague describing Mr Thomas as “a true gentleman at work and always smiling”, while expressing frustration at the continuing toll of knife crime in the capital.
The family’s statement concluded: “His passing has left a massive hole in the lives of his wife, children, grandchildren, family and all that knew him. He was greatly loved by all and will never be forgotten.”
Justice Served
Williams’ conviction and sentencing bring a measure of justice for the Thomas family, though it cannot undo their devastating loss. DI Marriott offered his condolences: “Our thoughts remain with Derek’s family, who have shown immense strength throughout this ordeal.”
The case highlights the tragic consequences of domestic violence that extends beyond intimate partners to affect entire families. Williams will serve at least 29 years behind bars before being eligible for parole consideration, ensuring he remains imprisoned until at least 2053.
The Metropolitan Police’s successful investigation, despite Williams’ attempts to evade capture, demonstrates the force’s commitment to pursuing violent offenders regardless of how far they run or where they attempt to hide.
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