Bristol man jailed after hunting down and killing rival

David Malcolm has been jailed for over 13 years for manslaughter
-Credit: (Image: Avon and Somerset Police)


A Bristol man has been jailed for over 13 years after killing much-loved family man Alex Mamwa earlier this year. David Malcolm, 43, appeared at Bristol Crown Court today (September 17), where he was jailed for manslaughter and possession of a bladed article, after a jury had previously acquitted him last week of murder.

The jury dismissed Malcolm’s claim he acted in self-defence when he fatally stabbed Alex on March 5, but determined he had not intended to kill or seriously harm the 30-year-old.

The tragic incident between Alex and Malcolm, who were locked in a long-running personal dispute, happened in the St Paul's area of Bristol, where Alex was fatally stabbed in the upper thigh, the court heard.

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Just three weeks prior, on Valentine's Day, the pair had become involved in an altercation which left Malcolm with a cut above his eye. And the day after this, Malcolm, of Eastville, asked his girlfriend to buy him a baseball bat, which he later combined with car parts to create his "fearsome" weapon.

On the day Alex was stabbed, the jury heard how Malcolm borrowed a car and drove around the St Paul's area for over an hour until he finally found Alex, and stabbed him in the leg. Alex was taken to hospital, but despite the best efforts of medics he sadly died.

Malcolm was arrested that night, and later charged by detectives from the Major Crime Investigation Team. In a Victim Personal Statement, heard at Malcolm's sentencing, Alex’s sister said "everything has been on standstill" since his death, and spoke of the “trauma, pain [and] heartache” that came with the “realisation Alex is never coming back”.

Alex Mamwa was fatally stabbed in the leg with a "fearsome" weapon
Alex Mamwa was fatally stabbed in the leg with a "fearsome" weapon -Credit:Avon and Somerset Police

She told how Alex moved to the UK aged six, and was due to reunite with his mother in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the first time in 24 years. She wrote: "Imagine how excited his mother must have been, to reunite with her baby after many years, to explore how much he has grown since they last saw each other."

She also spoke of Alex’s plans and ambitions to open a restaurant, and how just the week before his death he’d asked her to go and help research possible locations for the venture. She added: "Knowing that we will never hear his keys opening the door at home, never hear his voice, his laugh, his silly jokes, see him do silly dances, never hear him say ‘ite, go on’ (which was his way of saying bye) again.

"We will all need to learn to live without Alex because someone was so selfish as to kill our brother, son, uncle, nephew, grandson, friend, partner, mentor, support system, and anything else that he may have been to anyone in his life."

Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Phil Walker, of Avon and Somerset Police, said: "David Malcolm’s actions that night tragically led to the death of a young man and the loss of a much-loved friend and family member to those who knew him.

"Alex’s family have spoken bravely and very openly about the horrific impact his death has had on them. The six months since his death, and especially these last few weeks during the trial sitting through the evidence, have understandably not been easy for them, and they continue to be supported by specially trained officers.

"Malcolm is now beginning a lengthy prison for his actions that night, and I hope this gives them some comfort at what continues to be a difficult time."