Barking Man Jailed for Life Over Brutal Leytonstone Café Stab Murder
A 31-year-old man from Barking was locked up for life after a savage stabbing outside a Leytonstone café. Sabajet Shuti was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on June 27, winning a minimum 27-year stretch behind bars for the fatal attack.
Stabbing Outside Café Ends Young Man’s Life
The court heard how Shuti fatally stabbed 27-year-old Lumturi Zeqja outside a Church Lane café on October 16, 2022. Lumturi was with a friend when Shuti and his brother, Emirlion, arrived in two separate cars just before 10.40pm.
Emirlion drove erratically, attacking Lumturi’s friend first. Then Sabajet pulled a knife, stabbing Lumturi twice and his friend once. Despite emergency crews rushing to the scene, Lumturi was pronounced dead on the spot.
International Manhunt Ends with Extradition
The Shuti brothers fled after the attack. Sabajet shaved off his beard and fled the UK, heading through France before being caught in Sweden in October 2023. He was extradited back to the UK to face trial.
Emirlion was arrested earlier and given a 20-month suspended sentence for affray.
“The level of violence Sabajet Shuti used was completely unnecessary – he went out that night armed with a knife with clear intent to cause serious harm. His actions cost Lumturi Zeqja his life and inflicted immeasurable pain on his loved ones.” – Detective Inspector Brett Hagen
Detective Inspector Brett Hagen described the attack as brutal and premeditated. He revealed how Shuti “went to great lengths to avoid justice” by moving across Europe. Meanwhile, police worked with international partners to bring him to justice.
Community Left Reeling as Family Seeks Closure
The murder rocked the Leytonstone community. Multiple European agencies joined the investigation into the violent assault. Lumturi’s family expressed relief at the sentencing but said the pain persists.
“There is no justice that can bring Lumturi back. He was loved, full of life, and taken from us in an act of senseless violence.” – Family spokesperson
Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact police on 101, quoting reference 6192/16OCT22. Anonymous tips can be made via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
