Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police
A man who carried out a violent, sustained assault that killed his father has been convicted of murder following a trial at Southwark Crown Court.
Aston Lambert, 33 (01.02.1992) of Longridge Road, SW5 was found guilty of murdering 78-year-old Alban Lambert at the conclusion of a trial on Wednesday, 6 August.
The court heard how Aston Lambert had been living at his father’s flat in Longridge Road in the years preceding the murder. However, in the months prior to the fatal attack in March 2024 his behaviour had declined and he had become violent and aggressive towards Alban, to such an extent that Alban had told him to leave.
On Sunday, 17 March at around 11:40hrs Aston Lambert returned to the flat and Alban let him in. Alban was a frail man who was struggling with his mobility at this time.
At around 13:35hrs Alban also phoned his partner to state Aston Lambert was in his flat demanding £40. However, the phone call was abruptly cut off and Alban’s partner tried repeatedly, yet unsuccessfully, to call him back.
By 14:00hrs, neighbours began to hear sounds of a disturbance coming from inside the flat. Over the next hour, the disturbance escalated to a level of ferocity that aroused sufficient concern for one of them to call the emergency services.
Officers and London Ambulance Service arrived shortly after 15:15hrs and found Alban lying lifeless in the hallway of his flat – a dumbbell was lying on the side of his head. Aston Lambert was in another room, partially clothed. He claimed he had acted in self-defence after Alban had assaulted him, but was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Aston Lambert’s theory was quickly disproved when footage captured on a CCTV camera showed various part of the attack as it unfolded. This showed Aston carried out a prolonged and increasingly violent attack on his father, the majority of which took place while Alban lay stricken on the hallway floor.
Following the conclusion of the trial, Alban’s family paid tribute to him saying:
‘Mr Alban Lambert was deeply loved by all who knew him, in particular, his family and friends. He brought love and laughter to all around him. It is therefore immensely sad to find ourselves trying to comprehend the senseless tragic act which resulted in the loss of his life. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who’s been supporting us throughout this difficult time. We would also like to say thank you to the medics who tried to save his life, the legal team and the police.”
“We are devastated by the loss of our Alban who was many things to many people – he was a father, grandfather, stepfather, brother, uncle, cousin, partner friend.
“We kindly ask for privacy to process and grieve the loss of our dear Alban.”
Detective Chief Inspector Samantha Townsend from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command led the investigation and said:
“The motivation for Aston Lambert’s attack appears to have been money. He went to his father’s flat and demanded cash but when Alban told him he didn’t have this, a violent rage took over leading to this murderous act.
“Alban Lambert was a frail and defenceless man, killed in his own home by someone he should have felt safe to be with.
“Alban was a caring father who was loved by his children. The family have been ripped apart by the actions of Aston Lambert and I hope that the conclusion of the trial allows them the opportunity to begin to move forward.”
Aston Lambert will be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, 12 September.