Man stabbed to death for £12 on birthday in Fulham
A man has been stabbed to death on his birthday in west London by robbers who made off with £12.
Chef Krzysztof Rusek was in a park in Fulham, celebrating his 30th birthday early on Tuesday with his girlfriend and some other friends, when a group of people tried to rob them.
Police said the robbers then stabbed Mr Rusek. He was taken to hospital but later died there.
His friend was stabbed in the leg but was saved from injury by his wallet.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said Mr Rusek, who lived in Willesden, north-west London, left his work at the Ibis hotel in Lillie Road with three male colleagues at around midnight and met up with his girlfriend.
The group brought some drinks and went to a quiet garden area, next to the Fulham Centre in Lillie Road, to celebrate his birthday. One of his friends then went home.
As the group of four sat in the garden four to five men entered the park area and tried to rob them and Mr Rusek was stabbed.
The spokesman said two of the robbers had the lower part of their faces covered and that just £12 in total had been taken.
Det Ch Insp Nick Scola said: "This is a tragic waste of a young life, especially as Krzysztof was out celebrating his 30th birthday at the time.
"What started out as good natured night out with his girlfriend and colleagues has ended horrifically for the sake of a small sum of money."
Mr Rusek, a Polish national, had lived in the UK for the past eight years.
A post-mortem examination was due to be carried out on Wednesday.