Man who asked about crying baby 'stabbed in revenge'
A 63-year-old was stabbed to death in a "frenzied" attack in an east London cafe after asking a man if his crying baby was all right, a court has heard.
Alan Smith was stabbed five times at the Roma Cafe on Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, while out to lunch on his daughter's birthday in March 2011.
Matthew Quesada, 26, attacked Mr Smith after becoming agitated over the inquiry about his baby daughter.
At the Old Bailey, Mr Quesada admits the stabbing but denies murder.
There is a question over Mr Quesada's mental state at the time of the attack.
The victim had gone to the BB Cafe for lunch with his partner, daughter and son-in-law. Mr Quesada, of no fixed address, was present with his baby daughter, who was crying.
Jurors heard that the defendant became agitated when Mr Smith asked about the child and told the victim: "What's it to do with you? Go away."
The victim and his family left the cafe and moved on to the nearby Roma Cafe "to avoid confrontation", the jury heard.
Prosecutor Roger Smart said: "Matthew Quesada, say the prosecution, reacted angrily at the scene and left the cafe in haste, taking his daughter home, a short distance away from the BB Cafe.
"He left his daughter with his partner Maria Brigette and picked up a knife, intent upon seeking revenge on the deceased."
Mr Quesada found the victim at Roma Cafe and stabbed him in a "frenzied and wordless" attack, the jury heard.
Flights to Brazil
Paramedics carried out an open-heart surgery in the cafe but failed to save Mr Smith, who died in hospital.
Following the attack, the defendant cleaned and hid the knife. He also washed his clothes and tried to burn them, the court was told.
The accused was found the next day in a car with his mother. Mr Quesada, who had cut his hair, had his passport and details of flights to Brazil on him.
Mr Quesada's partner Ms Brigette and mother Victoria Passley-Quesada are both accused of assisting an offender, which they deny.
The trial continues.