Minimum of 23 years in Jail following Double Stabbing in East Ham
A man found guilty of stabbing two people in East Ham following an argument, killing one of them, has been sentenced to life imprisonment. Keith Nelson, 51 of Mountsfield Road, E6 was found guilty of the murder of 34-year-old Alfred Purcell at the Old Bailey on Thursday, 3 May following a trial that started on Wednesday, 25th April. He had previously pleaded guilty to maliciously wounding a second victim during the same attack. On Friday, 4 May, Nelson was sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 23 years. He was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment for the GBH offence, to run concurrently. Police were called at around 20:10hrs on 26 June 2017 to White Horse Road by the junction of Gresham Road, East Ham E6 to reports of a stabbing. The victim, later identified as Alfred Purcell, was treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to an east London hospital. He was pronounced dead just before 21:00hrs. The court heard that Alfred and others had been drinking in the area of Central Park, East Ham, E6 that afternoon. Alfred and Keith Nelson had previously been involved in a dispute – Alfred believed that Nelson had disrespected one of his friends on a separate occasion. When they met on 26 June this dispute continued. Keith Nelson went home and armed himself with two knives. Keith Nelson came across Alfred and the second victim in White Horse Road. Nelson ran at Alfred and attacked him, fatally stabbing him in the chest and injuring the second victim. Keith Nelson made off on foot. Alfred sadly died from his injuries – a post mortem gave cause of death as a stab wound to the chest. Officers from the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command launched an investigation. Keith Nelson was identified through witness accounts and CCTV enquiries. Keith Nelson was subsequently arrested on 28 June 2017 on suspicion of murder, and charged on 30 June. Detective Inspector Domenica Catino, who led the investigation, said: "Nelson, incensed after the dispute with Alfred, picked up two knives knowing full well the fatal consequences that could result. “He did not hesitate to use extreme violence. Sadly, Alfred lost his life and a second victim suffered injury as a result of his action. Nelson is a dangerous man who will now spend a long time in prison.”
