Killer's Chilling Fist Bump Captured on CCTV After Fatal Stabbing
Dino Donaldson, a 21-year-old drug dealer, is facing a life sentence for the murder of university student Anojan Gnaneswaran, after being recorded bragging about the stabbing and later seen laughing and fist-bumping a friend on a night bus. The brutal attack occurred at Strawberry Hill train station in Twickenham, south-west London, on January 8, 2024, following a dispute over a drug deal involving £50 for 10 ecstasy tablets.
Graphic Details of the Murder Emerge in Court
Donaldson was captured on the audio of a doorbell camera boasting about the killing, stating: 'I stabbed him through the back bro, I stabbed him fully. I watched it and I felt it go in him, yeah.' He chased his terrified victim onto the train tracks, repeatedly plunging a knife into Anojan's chest, abdomen, and thigh. Anojan, a 21-year-old third-year accounting and finance student who was a karate champion with a first-dan black belt and had competed in World and European championships, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Remorseless Behaviour Following the Crime
Less than an hour after the murder, Donaldson was filmed on CCTV aboard an N87 night bus, wearing a black hooded top and puffer jacket. He was seen smiling, laughing, and leaning over to fist-bump a friend while they shared a joke, displaying a complete lack of remorse. Three days later, police arrested Donaldson at his home in west London, where he was discovered hiding in a cupboard. During the search, officers found 74 wraps of crack and heroin in his bedroom, with an estimated street value exceeding £1,000.
Justice Served at the Old Bailey
Following a unanimous verdict at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, Judge Angela Rafferty KC remanded Donaldson in custody and adjourned sentencing to a date to be fixed. British Transport Police Detective Chief Inspector Paul Attwell commented on the case, saying: 'What started as an argument over a drug deal ended in a young man’s life being cut short by a remorseless thug. Donaldson showed his true colours as a coward by arming himself with a knife that night.' He added that Donaldson's continued cowardice was evident in his refusal to accept responsibility, but the jury saw through his lies.
Family Tributes to a Talented Young Man
Anojan's family paid a heartfelt tribute to their 'much-loved son and brother', describing him as excited for his future and excelling in sports, particularly karate. In a statement issued through police, they said: 'Anojan was in his third year at university studying accounting and finance, and he was so excited for his future. He excelled at all sports and had achieved first-dan black belt in karate – he competed in the World and European championships in karate, and we will all miss him so much.' While no verdict can fully compensate for their loss, the family hopes this outcome provides some sense of closure.
