A drug counsellor who killed an addict who woke him up was jailed for life today.

Anthony Lafayette, 44, used a large kitchen knife to kill Michael Edwards - stabbing him in the neck.

The 29-year-old victim had arrived at Lafayette's pregnant girlfriend's home in Poulet House in the St Martin's estate, Tulse Hill, hoping to buy crack and heroin at 6.30am on January 20 last year.

But an argument broke out between Mr Edwards and Lafayette with Lafayette knifing Mr Edwards.

Fatally injured Mr Edwards staggered towards his mum's home in nearby Hart House but died minutes later from the 12cm deep wound.

The court heard Lafayette, from Gilmore House, Clapham Common, was a convicted drug dealer who served nine years for shooting another man in the groin in 1985.

He claimed he was no longer selling drugs and had acted in self defence fearing for his girlfriend's life.

But an Old Bailey jury rejected his claims finding him guilty of murder by unanimous verdict.

The Common Serjeant of London, Judge Brian Barker QC, ordered Lafayette to spend at least 14 years behind bars before being considered for parole.

The court heard there was evidence that Lafayette had tried to threaten witnesses to prevent them giving evidence.

Two members of staff from the Blenheim Project also gave evidence in Lafayette's defence paying tribute to his work helping addicts in the area.