Musa Salih, 19, has been found guilty of murdering Harley Purdue, also 19, in a fatal knife attack in Chatham. The verdict was delivered by a Maidstone Crown Court jury on October 15, following an incident that occurred at a property on Thorold Road at around 3am on December 2 last year.
Attack Details and Motive
Salih lured Mr Purdue to the building’s communal basement with the intention of locking him in a toilet and stealing money from his bedroom. When Mr Purdue resisted, Salih stabbed him eight times. During the attack, Mr Purdue’s girlfriend intervened, and Salih attempted to injure her before fleeing the house and the Medway area.
Salih was arrested later the same day in Lewisham. A review of his phone revealed he had asked an AI app for legal advice and updates about the incident. Despite denying the charge, the Eritrean national was convicted of murder.
Police Response and Investigation
Detective Sergeant Alastair Worton commented on the case, stating: "Salih’s plan to steal Mr Purdue’s money in the middle of the night, whilst armed with a knife, resulted in the death of a young man and left his family mourning the loss of a loved one."
He added: "The swift response to track him down in London, followed by a comprehensive investigation, ensured the jury went on to convict him of murder. Our thoughts remain with Harley’s loved ones, whose strength and dignity throughout our investigation and the court proceedings has been commendable. I hope today’s verdict brings them some sense that justice has been done."
Sentencing and Impact
Salih is due to be sentenced on November 4. The conviction marks the conclusion of a case that saw a young life lost and a family left grieving, with the judicial process now moving toward sentencing.
