Dennis Anderson murder: Heartbreaking footage shows stab victim dancing with daughter as killer is jailed for life

Police have released a heartbreaking video of a London stab victim dancing with his daughter as his murderer was sentenced to life in prison.

Dennis Anderson, 39, was slashed across the throat by stranger Jahmel Riley, 24, at a 24-hour convenience shop in Dulwich.

He asked Riley why he was “hassling people for a cigarette” at the Pay Less Food & Wine store, before Riley launched his deadly attack.

Riley, of Lordship Lane, Southwark, was sentenced to life in prison for murder at the Old Bailey on Tuesday.

A short video released by the Met shows Mr Anderson dancing with his teenage daughter Toni at a laughter-filled gathering.

His partner of 26 years, Leanne Manzi, said their daughter “could not have had a better father” and has been “left with one parent taken and one parent broken”.

Ms Manzi, 39, from Rotherhithe, said “Dennis was a gentleman with old-school manners”, describing him as her “best friend and soulmate".

The couple's friend Luke Roche, 29, said: “He loved his daughter. He was a family man and very popular, no one had a bad word to say about him. I honestly can’t think of anyone he’d had a fight with. He just wasn’t part of that life.”

Riley was found guilty of killing the painter and decorator after a trial at the Old Bailey on Friday.

He will serve a minimum of 23-and-a-half years in jail.

The murder happened early on February 10 as Mr Anderson was returning home from a party.

http://players.brightcove.net/1348423965/default_default/index.html?videoId=6000789187001

Father stabbed to death in Dulwich

He went into an off-license in Lordship Lane with a group of friends, where Riley had been “aggressively and impolitely” asking customers for a cigarette.

An argument broke out between the two men and Riley appeared to walk towards the door as if to leave the building.

He then unsheathed a large hunting knife with which he stabbed the 39-year-old.

Riley was dragged off by Dennis’s friends and hit, before fleeing the scene.

Following the incident, detectives tracked down Riley, who was attempting to avoid arrest.

Judge Nicholas Hilliard said: "We see and hear a lot about knife crime these days and if ever a case demonstrated the curse of carrying knives it is this case,” he said.

“What might have otherwise been a verbal disagreement becomes a murder case because the defendant was carrying that terrible weapon.”

Ms Manzi described the end of the court case as “a bittersweet feeling” for Mr Anderson’s family.

“We are pleased with the verdict, as it has taken one very violent and dangerous person off of the streets.”

“We are hoping it also teaches others a lesson that carrying and using knives is a life sentence for all. This would not have been possible without the hard-working, dedicated and compassionate work of the police that have supported us from the very beginning.

"On the night that he so brutally attacked, Dennis showed the heroic qualities that we all knew him for by trying to protect other members of the public and stop the situation escalating.

"This did not surprise us when we found out, as looking out for others summed up Dennis' character."

“The sentence does not change a thing for us. As a family we are also serving a life sentence, this has left our hearts shattered and our lives turned upside down.

“We have fought one battle and now for us the real fight begins, learning to live a life without our Dennis."

Det Insp Domenica Catino, who led the Met's investigation, said: “This is a very tragic incident that has left me filled with anguish as Dennis Anderson’s death was totally avoidable.

“Witnesses of the attack, including close friends of the victim, and CCTV footage showed that Riley had chances to avoid the confrontation and the leave the off-licence.

• Read more

Family of hunting knife murder victim 'broken' as killer faces jail

“The two men did not know each other and Dennis was killed solely because he refused Riley’s request for a cigarette. That is the value that Riley places on life.

“My deepest sympathies extend to Dennis’ family and friends, particularly those that witnessed a shocking event unfold in such a needless manner.”

“I want to thank them for their support throughout this investigation and thank the hard work and commitment of the murder investigation team. I can only also praise the public, officers and paramedics who tried valiantly to keep Dennis alive."

Read more

Read more Family of hunting knife murder victim 'broken' as killer faces jail