Man given hospital order after killing girlfriend in Wood Green

The man also killed his girlfriend’s father in the attack

A man has been given a hospital order after he pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his girlfriend and her father in Wood Green.

Achilleas Costa, 54, of no fixed address, was detained indefinitely under section 37 of the Mental Health Act at the Old Bailey on Friday, 16th June.

He had previously pleaded guilty to the manslaughter, by diminished responsibility, of 61-year-old Joanilason Assis and his 31-year-old daughter Fernanda Assis.

On 28th November 2021, police were called to a hotel in Cambridgeshire after Costa was seen behaving suspiciously. He was found to be in possession of money and bank cards belonging to Fernanda.

At 9:45am, Metropolitan Police attended a property on Mayes Road, N22 to check on the welfare of the occupants where they discovered the two victims with multiple stab wounds. London Ambulance Service were called and the pair were pronounced dead at the scene.

A search of the flat and communal bins led to the discovery of a broken knife believed to have been used in the attacks. Forensics also identified the pattern from the sole of Costa’s trainers in blood within the flat.

Costa was transferred to a London police station from Huntingdon and charged with two counts of murder on 30th November 2021.

Acting detective chief inspector Lucy Carberry, from the Specialist Crime Command, said: “This was a tragic incident in which a woman and her father were killed in a prolonged attack by someone who was known to them. Our thoughts today remain with their family and friends.

“I would like to thank our colleagues in Cambridgeshire Police, whose quick response led to Costa being detained and ultimately resulted in us attending the family’s home.”

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