Handyman murdered customer then stole bank cards

A handyman has been convicted of murdering a customer using scissors and cable ties then using his victim's bank cards.

A jury found Dorin Ciorba, 29, guilty at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday of the murder and robbery of Osaretin Oronsaye in Dartford, Kent.

The court had heard CCTV showed Ciorba visited Oronsaye's flat for half an hour on 5 July before the victim's wife found him in a pool of blood at the property later that day.

Ciorba was arrested at his home on Longbridge Road in Barking, London on 17 July, Kent Police said.

The jury had heard Oronsaye, 62, brought a county court claim against Ciorba over a payment for maintenance work.

The court was told paperwork relating to the legal claim, cable ties, Oronsaye's car keys and his bank cards were found in a search of Ciorba's home on the day of his arrest.

Ciorba had claimed he went Oronsaye's flat to finish a decorating job.

Jurors heard he had searched online for reports of a murder while police were initially treating the death as a suicide.

According to investigating officer Det Ch Insp Neil Kimber, the killer "truly believed he had gotten away with his crime".

The detective said Ciorba "arrogantly used Mr Oronsaye's bank cards" and kept items taken from the murder scene.

"I hope this verdict provides Osaretin's family and friends with some comfort and will give them time to grieve their loved one," he said.

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