A pensioner who attacked his neighbour with a hammer before going home to grab a knife to stab him to death has been found guilty of murder.
Peter Kindell, 80, brutally set up John Jones, 76, with the hammer in the lobby of a block of flats in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, at around 4.30pm on January 3.
The pensioner fled back to his flat when two brave women intervened and stayed with Mr Jones whilst they called an ambulance.
However, Kindell returned with a knife as they were speaking to the 999 call handler and savagely stabbed Mr Jones to death.
Kindell was arrested shortly afterwards and made no comment to most questions asked by police.
In court, he claimed he had killed Mr Jones due to diminished responsibility, but the prosecution did not accept his defence.
Instead, they argued the killing was a reaction to a long-running dispute between Kindell and Mr Jones.
They also highlighted evidence which showed there was research and planning from Kindell.
Peter Kindell (pictured), 80, brutally set up John Jones, 76, with the hammer in the lobby of a block of flats in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, at around 4.30pm on January 3
Detective Inspector Nick Hind, of Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit, said: ‘Whatever the reasons were for Kindell’s actions on 3 January, there can be no excuses for what he did.
‘He has now been held accountable and been found guilty of murder. He will be sentenced in due course.
‘John Jones was a well-loved man, and his death caused great distress to his loved ones and his friends.
‘I would like to publicly acknowledge the courage and selflessness of the two women who went to the aid of Mr Jones, and also to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Mr Jones’s family.
‘They have all been remarkably dignified in light of this horrendous incident, and have supported our investigation team throughout.
‘I know that no outcome will serve as solace to them, but I hope that they are able to move on with their lives in the best way that they can, and I’d ask that their privacy is respected whilst they attempt to do so.’
Kindell will be sentenced at the same court on a date to be confirmed.
