A murderer who stabbed a grandfather to death in his own home has been sentenced to life.

Aaron De Silva, 21, was sentenced today at the Old Bailey to life with a minimum of 32 years for the murder of 73-year-old Joseph Griffiths in his Fulham home.

In the brutal attack he stabbed Mr Griffiths 22 times before fleeing the scene after being disturbed trying to burgle the house.

Joe Griffiths' distraught wife found him lying covered in blood in the hallway where he was later pronounced dead.

A post-mortem examination revealed the businessman, who had two grown-up sons and seven grandchildren, died of multiple stab wounds.

Murder victim Joseph Griffiths
Murder victim Joseph Griffiths

Baljit Ubhey, CPS London Chief Crown Prosecutor, said: “The prosecution’s case was that there was a clear intention to kill Mr Griffiths and that De Silva’s claims of diminished responsibility were unfounded. We instructed our own expert who confirmed that he was suffering no mental illness at the time of the killing and the jury agreed that De Silva’s actions amounted to murder.

“This was a terrifying ordeal for those in the house that night. I hope the sentence today gives some small comfort to Mr Griffiths’ family and friends. Our thoughts are with them. This was an unprovoked and violent attack by Aaron De Silva on a man more than 50 years his senior who was trying to protect his home and his family.

On 10 November 2012 De Silva broke into the Joseph Griffiths’ house in Fulham while he and his wife, and two family friends were asleep.

Murderer De Silva seen listening to music hours after stabbing Joseph Griffiths to death
Murderer De Silva seen listening to music hours after stabbing Joseph Griffiths to death

De Silva accepted that he had killed Mr Griffiths by pleading guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility but the prosecution would not accept that plea. CCTV showed De Silva back at his hostel about an hour after the murder listening to music, seemingly unaffected by what he had just done.

He was arrested on November 13, 2012 and charged two days later.

In an impact statement the victim’s son, Mark, said: “The murder of Joe in such a brutal and senseless manner has left a gaping hole not only in our immediate family but also the families of all who knew him.

“The whole family, and our circle of friends, still feel a deep sorrow and sense of loss since Joe’s murder. Members of our family have had to deal with recurring nightmares, triggered by that fateful day. We can only hope that with the passage of time these nightmares and feelings will lessen.

“Judy (mum) took the brave decision to return to the house where her husband was murdered, trying to live her life as normally as possible. This is the house where she and Joe had lived for 50 years, where one of her children was born and where both sons were raised. He is, and will always be, sorely missed by everyone.”

De Silva also pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary relating to this incident and was sentenced to 12 years to run concurrently.