A man has pleaded guilty to the murder of a Westcliff man who died following reports of a stabbing.
Kozma Papa, 22, appeared at the Old Bailey yesterday where he pleaded guilty to the murder of Bledi Petraj, 37, who was from Westcliff.
Papa was remanded in custody to appear for sentencing at the same court on Friday, December 6.
The Met Police and London Ambulance Service were called at 2:04 pm on Sunday, February 4, to reports of a stabbing at Queen Elizabeth’s Drive in Enfield.
Officers and the ambulance service attended and, at the scene, 37-year-old Bledi Petraj, who was from Westcliff, was found with knife injuries.
It was reported Papa pulled up behind the victim before they both got out of their cars and immediately started to fight.
Despite the efforts of medics at the scene and in hospital, Bledi died that afternoon.
The Met Police say that his family were notified and were supported by specialist officers.
Papa was arrested by Met police officers in a car that was stopped in Hertfordshire that same day. He was charged the following day with murder.
Yesterday, Papa appeared in court, where he pleaded guilty to murder.
Det Sgt Matthew Goode sent his thoughts to the family of the Westcliff victim.
He said: “We know that on the day of the murder the victim pulled over in his car on Queen Elizabeth’s Drive.
“Papa pulled in behind him and both men got out of their cars and immediately started to fight. A fight that ended in a senseless loss of life.
“It has never been established why they fought, but whatever the reason for the confrontation, I know it wouldn’t justify the loss felt by Bledi’s family and the years that Papa will now spend in prison.
“I am pleased that this guilty plea will spare Bledi’s family the experience of a criminal trial – my thoughts are with them.”
A 30-year-old man, who was also arrested as part of the investigation, was released without further action.
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