Man jailed for life for 'senseless and unprovoked' murder of pianist

8 October 2015, 16:58 | Updated: 8 October 2015, 17:21

Mark Patten (below left), aged 30 of Thornton Heath, London, has been sentenced to a minimum of 17 years in prison for the murder of Menelaos Aligizakis (below right), a talented pianist and teacher, who was killed in a brutal attack outside Waterloo Station on 3 January 2015.

The attack took place in the early hours of the morning as Aligizakis left a club. The two men had both been in the club, separately, and had a short conversation as they left, which was reported to be good-natured.

As the pair were walking towards Waterloo station, Patten attacked Aligizakis, who had his hands in his pockets so was unable to protect himself.

Aligizakis, who was Greek and aged 43, was a talented classical pianist as well as a much-loved science and maths teacher. He was visiting friends in London for the Christmas period when he was killed.

Detective Chief Inspector Will Reynolds said: “His death was a result of a senseless and unprovoked act of brutality inflicted by Patten who has given no real reason as to why he attacked a defenceless man who had simply been enjoying a night out.”

In a statement, Aligizakis' mother, Irini, said: “His father has become a hunched over little old man who drags his feet from his depression. I hurt so very much for my daughter, my husband and myself for the unbearable absence of our child. But most of all I hurt for Menelaos, my child, who without reason, someone took his beautiful life."

His father, a retired barrister, said: “I am really devastated and I still don't think that words can describe my psychological emptiness for life following this horrific loss of my beloved child.”