In a landmark verdict, Harley Dee Thompson, a resident of Hillingdon, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 24 years for the fatal stabbing of Dariusz Wolosz in West Drayton. The case, which led to Thompson’s conviction, comes as a testament to the tenacity of murder detectives who compiled an undeniable dossier of evidence during a retrial.
Dariusz Wolosz, a 46-year-old resident of West Drayton, tragically lost his life in January 2022 due to a brutal stabbing. Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley led the investigation into this heinous crime, stating, “Dariusz died after suffering multiple stab injuries. There had been a dispute, and Thompson decided this was worthy of a man losing his life. Dariusz had been stabbed with severe force in his groin and chest, and there was no chance he could have survived such a ferocious attack.”
The incident took place on January 4, 2022, on Tavistock Road, West Drayton, during a street fight. Thompson initially stood trial at Harrow Crown Court in May 2023. Although the jury reached a unanimous guilty verdict in relation to the charge of possession of a bladed article, they were unable to reach a verdict concerning the murder charge.
A re-trial commenced at Croydon Crown Court in December 2023, and this time, the jury unanimously convicted Thompson of murder after three hours of deliberation.
DCI Jolley commended the dedication and energy of the officers involved in the case, saying, “Taking a case to court twice can be a part of the criminal justice process, and it requires dedication and energy from our officers to ensure that regardless of how many times this happens, their professionalism is of the highest standard.
On January 12, 2024, at Woolwich Crown Court, Harley-Dee Thompson, born on June 19, 1994, of Albert Road, Yiewsley, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 24 years. This term accounts for the 732 days Thompson spent on remand.
The conviction and sentencing mark a significant step towards justice for the victim’s family and friends, offering some solace as they continue to cope with the loss of Dariusz Wolosz.
