THE London drug dealer convicted of the murder of Sligo man Philip Steels will serve at least 14 years behind bars.
Malachi Lindo, 27, was found guilty of killing 51-year-old Mr Steels at the Old Bailey last week.
Yesterday he returned to London's Central Criminal Court, where he was sentenced to a minimum of 14 years in prison - closing an emotionally charged case.
During the hearing the court was told that Lindo, of Bowles Green in Enfield, caved Mr Steels’ face in with a brick while high on a cocktail of drugs in the early hours of Thursday, September 4, 2014.
Hours earlier Mr Steels, a father-of-four who was living in Burncroft Avenue, Enfield, but made regular trips back home to see his family in Sligo, had been drinking at home before heading out to see friends.
The pair, who were strangers, became involved in an altercation when Mr Steels came upon Lindo while walking home along Green Street.
A fight ensued which saw Lindo grab a house brick from a nearby pile of rubble and smash it into the charity worker’s face as he lay on the ground.
Mr Steels was pronounced dead at the scene, where Lindo’s bag was found containing a large quantity of drugs and related paraphernalia, the arresting police officers confirmed in court.
A later search of Lindo’s home revealed more drugs paraphernalia and the killer has since confirmed to officers that he was actively dealing drugs at the time.
"This was a horrendous attack on an innocent member of the public, brought about by a complicated and confused individual being high on a cocktail of drugs,” Investigating officer Acting Detective Sergeant Mike Stubbins said as the verdict was reached.
Lindo, who admitted manslaughter but denied murder, was convicted of a single count of murder on Thursday, March 12 and sentenced at the Old Bailey on Monday, March 15.
