Man in court on murder charge after bus driver death

MET POLICE / FAMILY HANDOUT  Derek Thomas looks to camera MET POLICE / FAMILY HANDOUT
Bus driver Derek Thomas, 53, was fatally stabbed on his way home from work on 30 July

A man has appeared in court charged with murder after a fatal stabbing in east London last month.

Kamar Williams, 33, from the Isle of Dogs, east London, is accused of murdering bus driver Derek Thomas in Hackney on 30 July.

He is also charged with possessing a knife in a public place, namely Stoke Newington Common, on the same day.

It follows a nationwide search and Mr Williams being arrested at Notting Hill Carnival on Monday.

Appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court, the defendant spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

Mr Thomas, who lived in Stoke Newington, died in Northwold Road after he was found with stab wounds.

Police said a post-mortem examination revealed he had died from a stab wound to the chest.

District judge John Zani remanded the defendant into custody for a next hearing at the Old Bailey on 30 August.

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