Man to Be Sentenced for Helping Murderer Hide After Brutal Stabbing in Bexley
A man who helped his mate dodge the cops after a savage murder in Bexley is due to be sentenced this week.
Brutal Mum Stabbed 57 Times While Kids Hid Next Door
On August 2, Tony Curant was handed a life sentence with a minimum of 21 years for the vicious murder of his partner, Leila Young, at their home on Penhill Road. Curant stabbed the mum of his children 57 times as their terrified kids cowered in the next room.
Curant coldly called his friend Richard Ray straight after the attack, blurted out, “I’ve just killed my missus,” and Ray spirited him away to hide in a Dartford brothel for days.
‘Biggest Bully’ and a History of Violence
At Wood Green Crown Court, prosecutor Louise Oakley revealed Leila, 33, had earlier called Curant “the biggest bully” she’d ever met and was planning to leave him. Just a month before the murder, Leila accused Curant of raping and beating her in front of their children, showing she was in deep despair.
On January 17, Curant made a chilling 999 call saying Leila had been stabbed and was “basically dead.” Paramedics found Leila in a pool of blood. Despite emergency treatment, she died a week later.
Friend Claims Shock but Aided Fugitive Anyway
As police arrived, Curant bolted and rang Ray. Ray admitted he thought Curant was “off his f***ing nut” but still picked him up. After stopping at Tesco for cigarettes and booze, Ray drove past the Penhill crime scene before dropping Curant off in Dartford.
Ray tried to find Curant another safe house but ended up hiding him in a brothel until his arrest on January 20. He even collected drugs for Curant while on the run.
When cops arrested Ray, he said he considered telling them what was going on but was too scared – instead, he went to KFC.
Family Left Shattered by Senseless Violence
“Leila was our best friend, the life and soul of our family,” said her mother Caroline Young. “We were shattered by this senseless act. Holding her hand as she died was heartbreaking. I still don’t understand why Curant did this.”
Judge Slams ‘Utterly Horrific’ Murder
Judge Aaronberg described the killing as “utterly horrific,” highlighting Curant’s history of violence and drug abuse. He noted the extreme ferocity used and the terrible impact on the children who were nearby.
“She must have been completely terrified. You repeatedly stabbed her, fully aware your children were close by, traumatising them,” the judge said before sentencing Curant.
Ray, 34, from Swanley, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and will be sentenced later this week.
