Further man convicted for killing beloved father in Thornton Heath

A relentless pursuit for justice has seen a man convicted of killing a beloved father in Thornton Heath

A fourth man has been convicted for manslaughter thanks to the efforts of Met investigators. It follows the death of 27-year-old Michael Patrick Afonso Peixoto, who was killed in south London in 2023.

Detectives spent over two years pursuing Ali Abdul Basit who fled to Pakistan after the death of Michael.

Following a tireless investigation by the Met, Basit appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday, 27 March where he was convicted for his role in Michael’s death.

Detective Inspector Martin Thorpe, who led the investigation said:

“After Michael’s violent murder, Basit immediately left the country and travelled to Dubai via Venice then Egypt, eventually arriving in Pakistan where he remained for months.

“Basit returned to the UK after the conviction of three other men in connection with Michael’s death, possibly on the false pretence that he has got away with his actions.

“What Basit didn’t know, is that our officers had compiled an extensive amount of evidence, including phone data which linked him to the other three convicted men at the time of the assault.

“After he was arrested, our officers were able to get his DNA from an asthma inhaler at his house which matched DNA found on a cigarette butt at the scene.”

“This case emphasises the Met’s persistent pursual for justice in making sure that anyone who carries out such violent actions is held accountable.”

The investigation

The investigation was launched on 19 December 2023, after police were called to Mayfield Crescent in Thornton Heath at 22:30hrs following reports of a man being seriously assaulted.

Officers located Michael on the floor with multiple stab wounds, where he was sadly pronounced dead.

Enquiries by police revealed that a group of men were seen arriving at Mayfield Crescent and waiting in a white BMW for around 30 minutes. Michael and a friend arrived at the location in a Vauxhall Grandland.

Michael got out of the car and was confronted by a man holding a large knife. He was stabbed multiple times, including once in the chest, as he attempted to get back to the car. The suspects then threatened his friend with a knife and forced her out of the car, before stealing it. The car was located abandoned nearby.

During searches of the area following Michael’s death, officers located cigarette butts on the floor, near to where the BMW was parked.

Forensic analysis matched DNA from the cigarettes to three men who were later convicted for their part in Michael’s death. Zak Baako, 30 (06.08.95) of no fixed address was found guilty of Michael’s murder at the Old Bailey on Friday, 20 December and later sentenced to a minimum of 28 years in prison.

John Budal, 20 (07.03.04) of Ena Road, Thornton Heath was also found guilty of manslaughter and robbery and Omari Peat, 23 (01.03.01) of Southampton Gardens, Mitcham was found guilty of robbery.

Detectives remained determined to locate Basit, who had been witnessed at the scene of the robbery prior to Michael’s murder. After leaving the country, he returned to the UK on 3, May 2025 where he was arrested and charged with murder.

Further DNA evidence was gathered, matching Basit’s DNA to a cigarette butt at the scene.

Following a three-week trial, Basit, 19 (05.8.2006) of Leicester Avenue, Mitcham was convicted of manslaughter and robbery.

He will appear at the Old Bailey on Friday, 22 May for sentencing.