A 20-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 19 years for murdering his ex-girlfriend's neighbour in a row over "blue balls".
Jaden Sheriff, from Hackney, north London, was found guilty at the Old Bailey of killing Robert Weston, 37, in Hamilton Crescent, Harrow, on February 26 last year.
The court heard how Sheriff stabbed Weston after becoming upset when his claim about needing to have sex due to "blue balls" was challenged by the victim.
Three days before the murder, Sheriff had said to his girlfriend Jaid he needed to have sex because he had "blue balls", the Old Bailey was told.
Jaden Sheriff, from Hackney, north London, has been jailed
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When Jaid informed Weston about Sheriff's comment, he advised her that Sheriff was not being truthful, leading to an argument.
Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay KC told jurors: "The defendant was upset that his false suggestion that he needed to have sex due to blue balls had been called out, and rather than own up and take responsibility for his actions, he directed his anger at Robert Weston."
On the morning of the incident, Sheriff had messaged Jaid saying he would apologise, writing: "Idk what came over me sorry Jaid."
Sheriff followed Mr Weston into his home and began "punching and insulting" him in his bedroom while the victim pleaded not to be hurt. Jaid described how Weston retreated to the floor in a "W position" before she attempted to intervene between the two men.
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Robert Weston, 37, was stabbed in Hamilton Crescent
Met Police
When Jaid tried to stop the attack, Sheriff pulled her away, ripping out her hair extensions. Sheriff then stabbed Weston twice. The victim left the house before collapsing and dying in the street.
Weston was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering a 12-inch wound which punctured his heart. During the sentencing hearing, Weston's family described how their lives had been "shattered" by his death.
His mother, Jan Dumbarton, said she had been forced to stop working "because of my grief" and could no longer leave the house "without experiencing panic and anxiety".
"Life will never be the same," she added.
Weston's sister, Marina Dumbarton, said: "The loss of my brother has affected my entire family. We have been left with an emptiness that will never be filled."
Judge Rebecca Trowler KC said no punishment could bring Robert back or provide comfort to his grieving family. As Sheriff left the dock, he blew a kiss to crying well-wishers in the public gallery.
After the stabbing, Jaid called 999, describing the weapon as a flick knife with a Celtic cross on the handle. Police later found videos on Sheriff's phone showing him holding a matching knife.
Following his arrest, Sheriff claimed Weston had been spying on his ex-girlfriend and threatened him with a vegetable knife. Sheriff insisted he acted in self-defence, stating: "This should never have happened... I am shocked and saddened that someone has died."
Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay told police Sheriff's account was "plainly false" and contradicted both Jaid's testimony and text messages before the stabbing.
