Fatal Feud (From Croydon Guardian)

Neighbour dispute led to dad-to-be's death outside Croydon put

8:30am Wednesday 31st October 2012 in News By Andrew Bloss

A man has been jailed for life for murdering a dad-to-be out celebrating the news he was to become a father.

Carlton McKay, of St Paul’s Road, Thornton Heath, stabbed delivery driver Chris Isted 14 times outside the Ship pub in Croydon High Street on March 31 after a long-running dispute between their families.

He was jailed for a mimimum of 27 years at the Old Bailey on Friday.

Mr Isted, 25, described by his mother as a "gentle giant", was out with firefighter best friend Kevin Millward celebrating he was to be the father of twins when he was killed.

His partner Terri lost one of the twins in pregnancy due to the stress of his murder.

Simon Denison, prosecuting, told the court the fatal attack occurred after a long running feud between Mr Isted and McKay's brother Clancy, who lived directly above Mr Isted’s mum, Jane.

The feud which was about noise, was described as a "festering sore" by McKay’s defence counsel James Scobie, had gone on since 2008. Social services had set up mediation meetings between the two families but it never worked out.

It was by chance that Mr Isted and Clancy, who has learning difficultie and classed as a vulnerable adult, were in the Ship pub on the night of the attack.

Mr Isted was agitated with the fact Clancy was there and confronted him inside the pub.

McKay’s brother phoned both his mother and brother, Carlton, to tell them about what was going on.

Carlton McKay, who was with a friend, pulled his kitchen apart in anger, ripped the oven out of the wall, grabbed a knife and got into a taxi and headed to the pub, the court was told.

In the meantime, Mr Isted had been ushered towards the entrance of the pub by doorman, to distance himself from Clancy. Mr Isted punched the wall in anger.

At about 2am Mr Isted confronted Clancy McKay outside of the pub. Carlton McKay then pulled up outside the pub in High Street when he saw Mr Isted punch Clancy, who fell to the floor.

The court heard McKay then launched into a frenzied attack, stabbing Mr Isted a total of 14 times, including seven times in the chest. Mr Millward was also stabbed as he tried to pull Carlton McKay away from his friend.

McKay then jumped into a taxi and drove off, leaving his brother at the scene with Mr Isted who was bleeding profusely.

Mr Isted, a keen BMX rider, died at the scene despite the best efforts of the paramedics and ambulance crews to save him.

Mr Millward, 25, who had been friends with Mr Isted for 10 years, was taken to hospital, where he recovered from his injuries, but had to take four months off work.

The taxi driver has never been traced. McKay previously pleaded guilty to murder and wounding with intent for the stabbing of Mr Millward.

Judge Brian Barker, sentencing him, said: "This is a tragic case for all concerned and devastating for both families.

"What you have done is caused untold anguish to family and friends. Mr Isted is described as a jovial family man and nothing that this court can do can bring him back.

"That void will never be filled and he will not be forgotten."