Tourist Fatally Stabbed by Gang Who Followed Him from London Party Venue

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A Greek man visiting London was brutally murdered after being followed by a group of robbers who had trailed him from a well-known party venue in Marylebone, central London.

Antonis Antoniadis, 26, was fatally stabbed outside a home in New Cross, south-east London, in July last year after being targeted by five young men in a stolen car. The gang had been on the lookout for victims outside 32 Portland Place, a lavish venue previously linked to controversial events and public figures.

Following a trial at the Old Bailey, Shian Johnson, 26, Sofian Alliche, 20, Amin Alliche, 18, Joshua McCorquodale, 20, and Alfie Hipple, 18, were all convicted of murder and conspiracy to rob. All five are from Camden, north London.

The incident occurred after Mr Antoniadis, an employee at a Greek printing company, left the club early on July 7, 2023. He had been on holiday in the capital with two female friends. Unbeknownst to them, the gang had been circling the area in a stolen Kia Sportage fitted with false number plates, intent on finding someone to rob.

Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones KC (King’s Counsel) told the court that the group initially eyed two luxury cars, a Lamborghini and a Mercedes, before settling on Mr Antoniadis, who was wearing a Versace watch and carrying a Lacoste shoulder bag. “It seems that when that group of five saw Antonis come out of the club, those robbers thought they had found a suitable target,” Mr Emlyn Jones said.

The gang followed the Uber that Mr Antoniadis and his friends had taken to get to a friend’s house in New Cross. After trailing them for over 30 minutes across London, four masked men jumped out as the group arrived at their destination, while the fifth stayed in the vehicle.

Brutal Ambush

As one of the women struggled with the door, the robbers confronted Mr Antoniadis. He tried to defend himself with a bottle of brandy but was violently assaulted. “Tragically, whether it was brave or whether it was just an instinctive response, that reaction was to cost him his life,” the prosecutor added.

The victim was stabbed in the chest and thigh, severing a major artery. Though emergency responders tried to save him, he died in the hospital two weeks later, on July 21.

Despite limited CCTV at the scene, detectives traced the stolen vehicle through surveillance footage and mobile phone data. The group was later linked to the attack through forensic and digital evidence.

Each defendant gave differing accounts during the trial. Johnson and McCorquodale claimed they had left before the attack took place. However, police found a machete and balaclavas at both of their homes. Johnson was also found to have fled to Cancun, Mexico, shortly after the murder, where he stayed at an all-inclusive resort before being arrested upon return via Madrid.

McCorquodale had prior convictions in 2022 for robbery and conspiracy to rob involving phone snatching and attempting to steal an electric bike. At the time of his arrest, he was found in possession of a machete, a “Zombie” knife, and two balaclavas.

Sofian Alliche had a previous conviction for robbery in 2019. His younger brother, Amin, admitted to driving the car but denied leaving the vehicle at the scene. Police searching their home discovered a sword, drug paraphernalia, and high-end designer items.

Hipple, who had a previous weapons conviction in 2022, admitted to being at the scene but claimed he was unaware of the planned robbery and said he only stole a phone opportunistically.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 3. One of the defendants reacted angrily in court following the verdict, accusing the jury of “ruining” his life. At the same time, one juror reportedly left in tears after the conclusion of the trial.

Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn of Specialist Crime South praised the bravery of those who testified, saying, “Antonis had been visiting from Greece with friends. Very tragically, he never made it home to his family.” She added, “This was a particularly challenging and complex case given the lack of CCTV at the scene and the movement of the vehicle.”

She also commended the efforts of witnesses and the victim’s friends for returning to the UK to assist with the investigation, noting that their courage had played a vital role in bringing justice to Mr Antoniadis’ loved ones.