Man who murdered another during money dispute jailed

A man who killed another man by stabbing him in the leg has today been jailed.

Justin Green, 48, was murdered by Samuel Dewulf, 43, on Monday 29 April 2024 at his home address of Braddock Court in Basingstoke.

The two had been in a dispute about money before Dewulf, also of Basingstoke, stabbed Mr Green as a warning.

Mr Green suffered ‘catastrophic’ blood loss, before being pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses said Dewulf stepped over his victim and fled the scene, returning only briefly to collect his phone.

The two witnesses rushed to call emergency services and attempted life-saving CPR, to no avail.

Dewulf initially claimed that he was not the individual who stabbed Mr Green, pleading not guilty to murder and the case was set for trial.

However, following an investigation by Hampshire Constabulary, prosecutors with CPS Wessex unravelled Dewulf’s lies, utilising strong witness testimonies, DNA evidence, CCTV footage and phone records that showed his movements before, during and after the incident.

Winchester Crown Court heard how Dewulf made clear attempts to destroy any evidence of his involvement, by leaving his clothes in Stratfield Road woods and instructing his roommate to dispose of the trainers he was wearing away from his home address, while he bathed.

Dewulf also made admissions to a friend that he had stabbed Mr Green, and that he was in trouble.

In the face of overwhelming evidence, Dewulf changed his plea to guilty to murder on 24 October 2024 at Winchester Crown Court.

He was sentenced on the same day to life, with a minimum term of 15 years’ imprisonment.

Alison Saunders, a Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS Wessex, said: “This was a nasty attack of an innocent man.

“Mr Green invited Dewulf into his home where he should have been safe, but instead this led to his devastating loss of life.

“The prosecution case relied heavily on the evidence of the two witnesses who commendably tried to save the life of Mr Green. In large part, their evidence meant we were able to secure a guilty plea from Dewulf.

“Although nothing can bring him back, I hope this conviction provides some sense of comfort to Mr Green’s family and friends. Our thoughts remain with them at this time.

“The CPS is absolutely committed to working closely with the police to stamp out knife crime and make sure perpetrators are brought before the courts to face justice.”