A drink and drug-fuelled killer was jailed for murder after he stabbed to death a “humble and honest family man” in an unexplained knife attack.
Julio Gomes, a market trader in Edmonton, Enfield was murdered in the grounds of the Old Edmontonians’ Sports & Social Club in Jubilee Park just after 8pm on Saturday, September 14, 2019, while he relaxed in the grounds after a hard days work.
The 29-year-old had often made the short walk from the fruit and vegetable stall on Edmonton Green Market to the park when he finished work, but on that day it would tragically be his last.
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When Julio was stabbed by Lukasz Siemienowicz, 41, he was near the grandstand waiting for a friend to join him, around 65 metres from the clubhouse.
(Image: Met Police)
He tried to escape his attacker by running away but Siemienowicz, who had been drinking heavily and had used a significant amount of cocaine in the previous 24 hours, chased Julio.
The chase came to an end near the clubhouse and was witnessed by a man and woman who had been having a drink nearby.
Before he lost consciousness, Julio told the pair ‘the man’s mad, he’s just stabbed me’.
The woman used a hoodie she was wearing to try and stop the serious stomach wound before officers from the Met Police and staff from the London Ambulance Service (LAS) arrived.
Despite the best efforts of all involved, Julio was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination would later conclude that the cause of death to have been a stab wound to the abdomen.
(Image: Cassianto/Wikimedia Commons)
As efforts to save Julio had been taking place, Siemienowicz who had been seen chasing him with a kitchen knife, was detained by guests from a party inside the clubhouse.
Having left the party to assist, they persuaded a disoriented and drunk Siemienowicz, to lie down on the floor.
By this time he had dropped the weapon and was reported to have said: ‘I’m sorry, only God can save me’.
In police interview Siemienowicz, who had to be sedated before being taken to hospital, claimed that he was at the bandstand in Jubilee Park, drinking vodka and listening to music.
He said that suddenly, he felt a number of blows to his head, face and body, and he claimed that as he tried to shield himself he took the knife from his pocket and held it out as he stood up.
He said he was not aware of anyone being stabbed and that he then chased away the person who attacked him.
Prior to trial he admitted that he was not attacked and claimed that he couldn’t remember what had taken place, but had not intended to kill Julio Gomes.
A kitchen knife was recovered from the grassed area at the sports ground and later found to match a set of knives found following a search of Siemienowicz’s bedsit.
A statement from Julio Gomes mother, Mrs Cadi Gomes said “Julio was our golden boy, our first born child. He belonged to a humble, respectful and honest family and he had a determined work ethic.
“He has three children, twin boys aged 12 and a daughter aged eight. We know nothing will bring Julio back to us and we hope seeing the man who killed him convicted will bring us a little peace.
“We will never know the reason why he was brutally taken away from us and this is a torment as there was no reason.
“We do not want any other family to have to suffer this loss as we have. We are grateful to the police and the court for everything they have done in obtaining justice for Julio.”
Detective Sergeant Dolores Connolly of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command described the murder as a “swift and savage act” and that she “felt satisfied” glad the jury saw through Siemienowicz’s defence.
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He said: “Julio, who was originally from Guinea Bissau, worked six days a week in order to earn money to look after his family, and was simply going about his daily routine when he had the tragic misfortune to wander into the path of Siemienowicz.
“This is a man who was high on cocaine and claimed to have no memory of killing Julio. He will now face a lengthy jail term which will thankfully prevent him from harming any further innocent people, although it is too late for Julio’s family to draw comfort from this.”
The DS also thanked the public who, “helped Julio and detained the violent and dangerous suspect with no thought for their own safety.”
Siemienowicz, of Croyland Road, Edmonton was convicted of the murder of Julio Gomes following a two-week trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
Prior to the trial Siemienowicz had previously entered a plea of guilty to one count of manslaughter and another of possession of a knife, but had contested the count of murder.
He was remanded in custody to appear for sentencing at the same court on Monday, December 13.
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