Convicted: Sobantu Sibanda Found Guilty of Murdering Homeless Man, Guy Malbec

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Man Convicted of Homeless Person’s Murder in Canterbury Car Park

Canterbury, UK – In a landmark trial at Canterbury Crown Court, a jury has found Sobantu Sibanda guilty of the murder of Guy Malbec, a 51-year-old homeless individual who had been residing in a car park on Castle Street. The verdict comes after an extensive investigation by Kent Police into the brutal assault that took place on the afternoon of Monday, April 10, 2023.

The tragic incident unfolded when authorities received a distress call reporting a fatal assault at the car park. Upon arrival, the lifeless body of Mr. Malbec was discovered inside a sleeping bag within a tent on the car park’s lower ground floor. A subsequent post-mortem examination confirmed that Mr. Malbec had succumbed to blunt force trauma injuries inflicted upon his head, face, and torso.

CCTV footage played a crucial role in identifying the perpetrator, capturing a series of intermittent assaults carried out over the course of approximately an hour. The assailant, later identified as Sibanda, can be seen in the footage engaging in acts of violence against the victim. During his testimony, Sibanda claimed that he believed Mr. Malbec had stolen drugs from his tent, which triggered his violent reaction.

Disturbingly, Sibanda utilized the victim’s own belongings, including a laptop and a wooden gavel, to relentlessly beat him during the hour-long assault. Following the attack, Sibanda and three other individuals, namely Keith Hall, Gavin Houghton, and Airidas Sakalauskas, were witnessed at the scene, rummaging through the victim’s personal effects.

During the investigation, it was revealed that several items belonging to Mr. Malbec were destroyed, while others, including sentimental possessions such as pink sapphires and a silver pill box, were stolen. Additionally, his phone was taken, leaving him unable to call emergency services for help.

In a shocking turn of events, Sibanda and his accomplices returned to the scene later in the day to remove the victim’s tent, bloodstained items, and clean the area. Mr. Malbec’s lifeless body was left inside Sibanda’s tent until it was ultimately discovered by law enforcement.

During the trial, all four men admitted to perverting the course of justice through their actions following the assault. Sibanda, in a plea made during the hearing, also pleaded guilty to the charge of manslaughter.

Detective Chief Inspector Kath Way, the senior investigating officer, expressed her dismay at the brutal and prolonged attack on Mr. Malbec, who had once lived a promising life but had fallen victim to homelessness due to declining health. She condemned Sibanda for his callousness and lack of remorse, highlighting his disregard for the victim’s life and the disposal of his belongings.

The trial provided Mr. Malbec’s grieving family with a detailed account of the harrowing ordeal he endured. While nothing can undo the tragedy they have suffered, the guilty verdict brings some solace as they strive to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of this appalling crime.

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