A burglar has been jailed for life for murdering a pensioner in a brutal knife attack.
Aaron De Silva, 21, had admitted the manslaughter of Joseph Griffiths, but denied murder.
He was found guilty of murdering the 73-year-old retired businessman following a trial at the Old Bailey.
It is believed Mr Griffiths heard De Silva breaking into his home in Fulham, southwest London, in the early hours and tried to challenge him.
Mr Griffiths, who had two grown-up sons and seven grandchildren, was discovered in a pool of blood by his wife and a friend after the “completely brutal and overwhelming assault” in November 2012.
He had been stabbed 22 times and was pronounced dead at the scene.
De Silva was caught on CCTV taking a “cool, calm and collected walk” back to the Earls Court hostel where he was staying to wash his clothes and get rid of evidence.
Footage of him at the hostel an hour later showed him listening to music, seemingly unaffected by the killing.
De Silva was sentenced to life with a minimum of 32 years.
He was also sentenced to 12 years to run consecutively after admitting aggravated burglary armed with a lock knife.
Investigating officer detective inspector Simon Pickford said: “De Silva is an extremely violent individual who had no hesitation in stabbing the victim repeatedly in a frenzied and brutal attack after he was disturbed having broken into Mr Griffiths’ home.
“I must pay tribute to Mr Griffiths’ family who have been left utterly devastated by what happened.
“They have conducted themselves with the utmost restraint and dignity throughout this tragic incident and my and my team’s thoughts are with them.”
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Aaron De Silva Jailed For Killing Pensioner
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