Detectives investigating the brutal murder of a man with learning difficulties have released CCTV footage showing some of his last movements.

In the footage, 24-year-old Dean Mayley from Northolt is seen getting off an E9 bus in Ruislip Road East, Greenford, at around 4.25pm on Friday February 7 and walking away in the direction of The Broadway.

Around 50 minutes later he was attacked by a group of three or four males - described as black and wearing dark, hooded tops - and stabbed to the chest with such ferocity that his heart was pierced.

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Bonner, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, is leading the investigation.

He said: “I hope this footage might help people to recall the events that led to Dean’s tragic death. This was a vulnerable man who would have shown an unusual degree of trust in those who he came across and it is utterly sickening that he should have been set upon in this way.

Video Loading

“Those responsible are clearly dangerous and callous and it is critical that we track them down as soon as possible so that they can be held responsible for their appalling actions. These people are not worthy of protection and I would urge anyone with information to call police as soon as possible.”

The incident room can be contacted on 0208 358 0200 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Dean was attacked in Ruislip Road, Greenford at approximately 5.20pm on February 7. He was taken to St Mary's Hospital where he died later that evening. A post-mortem examination was completed on February 10 and gave cause of death as a single stab wound to the chest. 

Dean had suffered from microcephaly which led to him having learning difficulties and a mental age of approximately nine years old. As a result, his family describe that he was very vulnerable and easily led.