Ozughan Altun jailed for Walthamstow murder of Michael Baptista

Ozughan Altun, of Dalston Square, Hackney, will have to serve a minimum of 19 years behind bars for the murder of Michael Paul Baptista.

In December of 2019, the 31-year-old stabbed Michael five times and left him to die on the street after having become ‘obsessed with him’, the court heard.

Victim: Michael Paul Baptista

Altun had grown fixated with Michael, who had briefly been in a relationship with a woman who was Altun’s ex–girlfriend, and attacked him in a frenzy near his shop in Walthamstow.

Emergency services rushed to the scene of the horrific attack in Bromley Road where Michael was pronounced dead at the scene.

Altun, who had called police to claim he had been attacked by Michael Baptista, lied to paramedics and alleged he had been stabbed and that his victim had stalked his family.

Police officers at the crime scene in Bromley Road the morning after the vicious attack. Photo: Lewis Berrill

He was arrested on suspicion of murder at hospital and officers found pieces of paper in his pockets with a drawing of Michael Baptista and a scribbled note saying “Michael is an idiot”.

In a police interview Altun persisted in painting himself as a victim. He claimed he had lashed out in self-defence and alleged he had been “petrified” by Michael Baptista.

Videos were found on his phone of him burning a strip of passport-style photos with his girlfriend and Michael Baptista’s faces on them.

The jury heard they had rowed over Altun’s girlfriend, who he had broken up with. She had been in a relationship with Michael Baptista and, when it ended, had gone back to Altun.

Altun’s jealousy grew and, and before Michael Baptista travelled to Bromley Road on the day he was attacked, he had requested of Altun several times that they meet up to discuss matters concerning the woman they had both gone out with.

Michael never actually went inside Altun’s shop, they had one meeting face-to-face first in Forest Road and then a few seconds later, Altun left the shop armed with scissors and confronted Michael, who was standing unarmed at the corner of Bromley Road and Forest Road.

Police officers at the crime scene in Bromley Road the morning after the vicious attack. Photo: Lewis Berrill

Detective Sergeant Gurj Singh said: “This was a violent incident that took place in a residential street in E17 between two parties known to each other, in which Michael Baptista was fatally stabbed.

"Michael’s family attended the trial and has been saddened and deeply affected by the events of December 19, 2019.

Police officers at the crime scene in Bromley Road the morning after the vicious attack. Photo: Lewis Berrill

"I would like to pay tribute to Michael’s father and brother who have shown strength in attending court throughout the trial and for the family’s support to our investigation. I would like to pay tribute to their strength and support to our investigation.

"I hope that the Baptista family will feel they have received closure through the criminal justice system.”