A man has been convicted of murder after stabbing another resident at a hostel in Wimbledon following a disagreement.

Police were called to a stabbing at around 1am on January 13, 2021, at a Wimbledon hostel for those struggling with addiction and other vulnerabilities.

Paul Dalton, 41, was found by officers in a pool of blood and despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-examination undertaken on January 14 showed that Paul had died from a single stab wound to the back of his left thigh, puncturing the femoral vein and artery.

CCTV had caught Paul slamming a communal door adjacent to Mongo Bolili’s (also known as Ed) room.

Bolili then searched the building for Paul and found him sitting in a friend’s room, where the attack was carried out.

Bolili was in and out of the room within two minutes.

Paul’s friend witnessed the attack and gave crucial evidence in court but was accused by Bolili of being the one who carried out the stabbing.

Police said that there was no evidence to support this, and Paul’s friend immediately alerted residents and staff of what had happened.

A forensic examination found Paul's blood on the blade of the knife and Bolili's DNA on the handle.

Mongo Bolili was convicted of murdering Paul on July 1, 2022, at the Old Bailey.

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Shirley, who led the investigation, said: “Paul was unarmed and, despite a verbal row, did not pose any physical harm to Bolili.

“The attack on him was utterly unnecessary.”

DCI Shirley added: “Bolili claimed Paul’s friend had stabbed him, but there was no evidence at all to support this, My team of officers worked fast and incredibly hard for Paul and I thank them for their diligence and dedication.

“I hope Paul’s family can derive some comfort that we have done everything we possibly could to bring them justice.”

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “A man has been convicted of murder after fatally stabbing a fellow resident at a hostel in Wimbledon.

“Paul Dalton, who was aged 41, was attacked by another resident who had sought him out after a brief verbal disagreement a short time earlier.

“On Friday, 1 July, Mongo Bolili, 34 (12.09.87), also known as ‘Ed’, of Merton, was convicted at the Old Bailey of murdering Paul in a brief but deadly assault as he was sitting in another resident’s room at the venue, which mainly houses people with addiction issues and other vulnerabilities.

“An investigation was launched after police were called at 00:55hrs on 13 January 2021 to reports of a stabbing at an address in Wimbledon.

“Paul was found in a pool of blood.

“Despite extensive efforts to save him he was pronounced dead at the scene.

“A special post-mortem examination held on 14 January 2021 gave cause of death as a single stab wound to the back of the left thigh, puncturing the femoral vein and artery.

“CCTV captured Paul slamming a communal door, adjacent to Bolili’s room.

“Bolili then searched the building, apparently looking for Paul.

“At 00:37hrs, Paul was sitting in a friend’s room, before Bolili entered and then left in less than two minutes.

“This was when the attack was inflicted.

“Paul’s friend witnessed the attack and gave crucial evidence at trial.

“Paul’s friend alerted residents and staff, who called police and rendered first aid.

“Forensic examination found Paul's blood on the blade and Bolili's DNA on the handle.

“Ian Matu and Danny Webster were found not guilty of perverting the course of justice.”