The sister of a South Norwood man stabbed to death following an argument has paid tribute to her fun-loving sibling who was affectionately known as Del Boy.

Derek Hamilton, 37, died after being stabbed four times following an argument with his second cousin Christopher Kiffin on February 7.

The air ambulance was called to the scene of the fight on the Fieldway estate in New Addington. Mr Hamilton was treated by paramedics before being taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting where he died from his injuries.

Kiffin, 35, from Bygrove, The Fieldway, New Addington, was found guilty of murder at the Old Bailey last Thursday and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Mr Hamilton's sister, Freda Hamilton, spoke to the Guardian after the court case and paid tribute to her younger brother.

She described how much she missed Derek and also spoke of the family's difficulty in seeing another relative standing in the dock.

Freda, 40, from New Addington, said: "He was a very happy man, a bit of a joker. Football was his passion. He supported Tottenham Hotspur. He knew so many people in Croydon."

She added: "He used to be called Del Boy. Not because he was a wheeler dealer but because he was always joking, he was always very funny.

"I miss him very much. The whole family miss him very much."

Mr Hamilton, a former Ashburton High School pupil had one son, six-year-old Conor Hamilton, with his long-term girlfriend Cheryl Jackson.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Cundy, who led the murder investigation, said: "The court agreed Christopher Kiffin stabbed Derek Hamilton in a premeditated attack. This was a difficult and tragic investigation since both Derek and Christopher Kiffin were related as second cousins.

"Derek's sad death occurred when Christopher Kiffin tried to use violence and a knife to solve an argument.

"I wish to express my sympathy and appreciation to Mr Hamilton's family for their assistance in this case and hope they feel some comfort now that Derek's murderer has been convicted."