Man jailed for Hackney murder after 13 years

Convicted of murder: Tuggie Phillips. Photograph: Metropolitan Police

A man was jailed for life this week for a murder he committed in Hackney 13 years ago.

Tuggie Phillips, aka John Reid, fled the country after attacking Stephen Bailey and his brother Paul in 1999.

On Wednesday 7 March he was convicted of Stephen’s murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment. He will serve a minimum of 15 years.

He was also found guilty of the attempted murder of Paul Bailey.

Phillips and another man visited the Bailey brothers in their flat at Banbury House, Victoria Park Road, Hackney, on 11 July 1999.

Paul Bailey, then 41, was stabbed in the chest and Stephen, then 39 was hit over the head with a blunt object as he ran from the flat.

Phillips was identified by fingerprint evidence but disappeared following the attack, which is believed to have happened following a row over drugs.

He was later found to be living in South London under the name John Reid.

On 11 March 2011 he was arrested after attempting to use a passport in that name to board a plane from Holland to Dublin.

Susan Mansaray, the sister of the two victims, said: “Our family has suffered great pain and distress as a result of the violent, callous and unprovoked attack on our brothers. “

“One doesn’t get over such tragedy. One simply learns to live with it and accept that life has changed forever.”

Senior investigating officer DI Robert Pack said: “Phillips thought he could escape justice by breaching his bail, changing his name and living his life below the radar.

“However, the Metropolitan Police Service is tenacious and unflinching in tracking these sorts of individuals. The needs and expectations of Paul and Stephen’s family always came first and, although it took a number of years, it is a source of immense satisfaction that Phillips was finally brought to justice.”