Leroy Junior Edwards. Pic: Met police

Two people were convicted at the Old Bailey for the brutal stabbing of an elderly relative at his home in Catford last year.

Kerry Donavan, 29, of Southend-on-Sea was found guilty of the murder of Leroy Junior Edwards, and Aaron Woolcock, 30, of Lewisham was found guilty of manslaughter.

Kerry Kysha-Lee Donovan. Pic: Met police

The two convicted were said to be “distant” relatives of the murdered man.  Edwards, 66, died in hospital in August last year after being found with multiple stab wounds in his home on Ringstead Road, following a heated exchange between himself and his two relatives.

Emergency services found Edwards after a neighbour reported a banging noise coming from upstairs and had left his flat to discover a trail of blood that led to his door.

Aaron Woolcock. Pic: Met police

The emergency services forced entry into the flat and found a large knife. He was taken to hospital where he died a short while later.

Both of the accused fled the scene but police found a purse at the scene, which contained identification cards belonging to Donovan.

Donovan was arrested the next day after witness accounts and CCTV footage traced her in Basildon.

She is believed to have been in financial difficulties and a regular user of Class A and B drugs.

Woolcock was tracked down in September and was charged the same day as Donovan.

Detective Sergeant Brian Jones of the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command said: “We may never know exactly why Mr Edwards was killed.”

“Whatever the motive, this led to the senseless death of a family man of good character in the home where he had lived for over 25 years. His family described him as a ‘quiet, non-confrontational man who liked to be at home.’

“Woolcock and Donovan now face the consequences of their actions and I hope their conviction will give some solace to Mr Edward’s family and friends.”

Both will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on April 18.