Thornton Heath: Teenager charged with murder of father, 27, appears in court

A 19-year-old has appeared in court charged with the murder of Michael Patrick Afonso Peixoto, who was stabbed to death in south London just days before Christmas.

The 27-year-old father was found with stab wounds in Mayfield Crescent, Thornton Heath, Croydon, around 10.30pm on December 19.

John Budal, of Croydon, appeared at Bromley Magistrates Court on Saturday charged with the man's murder.

He has been remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on Wednesday.

It is believed several men were involved in the attack after a group drove off in Mr Peixoto’s £13,000 SUV.

A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on December 24. He has been bailed pending an investigation.

An investigation into Mr Peixoto's death remains ongoing.

Detective Inspector Martin Thorpe, from the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime Command, previously said: "This was an attack which has caused devastation to Michael’s family and friends.

"While my team continues to work hard to establish the motive behind this attack, it does not appear that the theft of the car was the reason.

"I am appealing to anyone who was in the area and saw the events unfold, and has yet to speak to police, to come forward."

Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain, responsible for policing in Croydon, added: "I know that local people will be concerned by this incident, particularly as it took place on a residential street.

"I would like to reassure those who live in Mayfield Crescent that the location of this incident was purely incidental. There does not appear to be any connection or threat to anyone living in the immediate area."

Eleven people have been murdered in Croydon in 2023 - the highest number of any borough and a tenth of capital’s total homicides.

Among Croydon victims this year was Elianne Andam, the 15-year-old schoolgirl who died after being stabbed at a bus stop in September.

Anthony King, a youth worker from the My Ends project, told the Standard last week: “Knife crime is out of hand. The stabbings have been frightening. It has to stop. But young people are carrying a lot of knives.”

Mr King said local police and the community were “doing excellent work” but there was a lack of family and youth services.