A solicitor for one of the country’s leading corporate law firms was murdered in a "vicious and gratuitous" attack less than 100 yards from his front door.

Tom Rhys Pryce, 31, who worked for Linklaters, was stabbed to death in an apparently random attack in Bathurst Gardens, northwest London, late last night following a scuffle with two young black men. He was stabbed in the head, torso and hands.

Mr Rhys Pryce, who had been due to marry in September, called his fiancee Adele at around 10.50pm last night to tell her he would be home in 40 minutes. He had been to a social event and is thought to have travelled via train to Kensal Green Station.

At 11.44pm, witnesses saw a scuffle in Bathurst Gardens in Willesden between the victim and two black men - both aged in their late teens or early 20s. One was wearing a hooded top. It is thought they may have been trying to mug Mr Rhys Pryce and the robbery escalated into violence.

Police were called and the two fled towards Clifford Gardens. The victim was taken to Central Middlesex Hospital, where he was confirmed dead shortly after midnight. A post-mortem examination was being held today at Northwick Park Hospital.

Mr Rhys Pryce was 5ft 10ins, of medium build, with short brown hair. He was clean-shaven and wearing a grey suit, blue shirt and smart black shoes. He lived at Bathurst Gardens with his fiancee Adele. His brother, mother and father live in Surrey.

Detective Supt Julian Worker, who is leading the murder investigation, said today: "This was a particularly vicious and gratuitous attack on Tom Rhys Pryce.

"Due to the nature of this attack it is quite possible that one or both the suspects may have sustained injuries and I would particularly appeal to anyone who may have treated such injuries or anyone who knows of someone having sustained injuries to come forward.

"I would also appeal to anyone who was in the area to come forward."

It is believed he was returning from a night out with colleagues from work in the City.

Local residents heard the scuffle in the street and immediately called emergency services, but the attackers had fled by the time officers arrived, leaving Mr Rhys Pryce lying on the pavement.

They had stolen some of his possessions, although it is not clear what. Mr Rhys Pryce’s devastated fiancee is being cared for by relatives.

Mr Rhys Pryce was a litigation lawyer for Linklaters, one of the country’s leading corporate law firms. John Turnbull, head of litigation at the firm, said: "We are all shocked by this dreadful news. Tom was a good friend and colleague and we will miss him very much. We are offering all the help we can to his fiancee and the rest of his family."

Bathurst Gardens is a quiet residential street of neat two-storey terraced houses with a church at one end. Police today cordoned off the road at both ends and refused entry to anyone but residents.

One neighbour said there had previously been other violent attacks in the road. He said: "It’s a nice street but there have been muggings. Someone got shot just over there a couple of years ago. And at the top of the road someone was found dead in their house recently."

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