Emily Pennink

Eugeniu Neamtu was convicted at London’s Old Bailey of murdering his Romanian flatmate, Gheorghe Trica, in Walthamstow after stabbing him in the chest during an argument over money. Prosecutors highlighted striking similarities with a 2006 stabbing in Romania for which Neamtu was convicted, including a drunken dispute, use of a knife from inside the home, a chest stabbing, disposal of the weapon and a subsequent claim of self-defence. Neamtu denied murder and declined to give evidence, but jurors found him guilty after three hours of deliberation; he was remanded in custody for sentencing.

Eugeniu Neamtu is accused of fatally stabbing his flatmate Gheorghe Trica in Walthamstow after an argument that allegedly included a demand to repay £5. Neamtu claims Trica threatened and attacked him, and that he used a knife in self-defence. Prosecutors highlighted a 2006 Romanian stabbing conviction involving similar circumstances: a drunken dispute over money, a chest stabbing with a household knife and a subsequent self-defence claim. Neamtu denies murder, and the trial is continuing.

A rape allegation made in January 2025 was closed by police after the victim, a homeless drug‑dependent woman, was repeatedly deemed unfit to give a statement, leaving investigators unable to collect evidence. The accused, Simon Levy, later allegedly murdered two women and is now on trial at the Old Bailey for their killings as well as rape, grievous bodily harm and non‑fatal suffocation. A detective testified that limited information, lack of victim availability and competing caseloads hindered the initial inquiry. Jurors also heard Levy has prior convictions for multiple sexual assaults.