Man arrested for cycling on M27 near Portsmouth is guilty of murder

Carlos Velez, 20, suspected David Martinez of kissing his girlfriend before he stabbed him to death at a flat in Leytonstone, east London, on March 6 last year.

He denied murdering the Spaniard, but was found guilty by a jury at the Old Bailey on Thursday.

Prosecutor Edward Brown QC had told jurors that Mr Martinez, 26, was killed ‘for no good reason at all’.

‘He was killed at the hands of this defendant - and was a victim of this defendant's possessive and short-tempered nature,’ he said.

Velez allegedly had a history of violently possessive behaviour, having punched a stranger on the Tube for looking at his girlfriend Ashlly Rondon-Diaz.

He also had an aggressive confrontation with a neighbour, who he suspected of having an interest in Ms Diaz, jurors were told.

On the day of the killing, Mr Martinez texted a cousin that Velez was acting ‘all crazy and was asking if had kissed his girlfriend’.

In another message, he wrote: ‘I am going to try to go on Friday else I'll end up dead.’

Ms Rondon-Diaz walked in on Velez attacking Mr Martinez in the kitchen after being alerted by screams, jurors heard.

Mr Martinez suffered multiple knife wounds to the head, shoulder, chest and thigh as well as defensive cuts to his hands, the court heard.

He ran out of the flat but collapsed and died on the pavement.

Velez fled to Portsmouth, where he changed his clothes, jurors heard.

He was stopped by police riding the bicycle beside the M27.

Following his conviction, Devi Kharran, CPS Senior Crown Prosecutor, said: ‘This was a vicious and frenzied attack fuelled by pure jealousy and possessiveness.

‘David Martinez was murdered inside his own home where he should have been safe. The tragedy of this case lies in the knowledge that David was aware that his life could be in danger and had plans to move out of the flat.

‘The prosecution case against Carlos Velez included strong witness testimony and forensic evidence, which was able to convince the jury of his guilt.

‘When interviewed by police Velez changed his story numerous times. First he claimed that he himself had been robbed of his phone at knife-point and had no knowledge of the murder.

‘Then he went on to say he could not remember what had happened. Later he claimed to be having visions and hearing voices. At one point he even sought to blame the killing on his girlfriend.

‘Velez will now spend a significant time in jail as a result of his actions.’

Velez will be sentenced on Friday at the Old Bailey.