The murder of a 15-year old boy by a knife was committed by a man who tried to save his hero father from an attack at a bus station.
Michael Fadayomi was 40-years old and described as a “pillar of the community”. He tried to protect Marcus Griffiths’ son by stabbing him in the neck.
Griffiths, 42 years old, followed the friend and boy off a bus at Willesden in north west London after they sat down next to each other. Then, he became hostile for no reason.
Michael Olatunde Fadayomi (pictured), died while trying to protect his 15-year old son from an attack at a bus stop
He was able to dodge two headbutts and ran to the bus stop in order to contact his father.
The’much-loved dad’, Mr Fadayomi from nearby arrived at the stop deck just after five o’clock.
As Mr Fadayomi began to walk down the road towards his destination, Griffiths followed him and repeatedly beat him.
Fadayomi was hit in the neck by one of the blows, cutting off an artery. This caused a huge blood loss.
Marcus Griffiths, 42 years old, was convicted of murder. He pursued Mr Fadayomi, and repeatedly stabbed his back.
The police stated that the assault took place for “absolutely no motive at all”. They also claimed that Fadayomi wasn’t armed and didn’t show any aggression towards him.
Griffiths was allegedly heard by a witness sitting next to him on the bus saying, “I am going to kill somebody today.”
Griffiths, who was later arrested at his Kilburn home, in north west London that same night, denied any knowledge of the murder.
He told police detectives that he would not respond to any of their questions during a police interview.
Witness statements and CCTV footage revealed that Griffiths was aggressive toward the boys within minutes of getting on the bus.
They all got on the bus at the Willesden Bus Garage, and then the attacks began.
Griffiths claimed during the trial that he was acting in self defense when he stabbed Mr Fadayomi.
Griffiths and his friend followed the boy off a Willesden Bus in north West London after they sat down next to him. Then, he became hostile for no reason.
After a two week trial, Griffiths was convicted by Harrow Crown Court of murder.
Additionally, he was found guilty of attempted murder of his 15-year-old boy and of possessing a weapon in public.
The Met Police Detective Constable Rebecca Corser stated after the hearing that this was a tragedy in which a man lost his life without any apparent reason.
Video footage, witness statements, and CCTV footage showed that Griffiths became hostile towards the boys as soon as they boarded the bus.
Marcus Griffiths had a motive only he knew and aimed to do serious damage to one person.
In fact, the witness that sat next to him in bus said that he was going to murder someone.
“Michael Fadayomi’s son and friend were unfortunate enough to be seated next him on the bus. He then became aggressive towards them.
DC Corser called it a cowardly attack’ upon a ‘much-loved’ father.
She continued: ‘After his child narrowly avoided his own death, Michael arrived at the scene and confronted Griffiths regarding his conduct.
Pictured: Mr Fadayomi was described as an ‘pillar in the community’
“Michael did not carry any weapons and showed no physical aggression toward Griffiths. Griffiths attacked him with a cowardly stabbing attack as he was leaving the bus.
“I’d like to send my condolences and sympathies to the Fadayomi families.
“Nothing can ever be done to bring back the father we loved, but I’m glad that Griffiths lies were exposed by the jury and will spend time behind bars.”
Griffiths’ sentence will take place at the same Court at a later date.