Two men, including an expectant father, were stabbed to death within 24 hours of each other last week - providing a reminder that the problems of knife culture in South London are far from improving.

Mark Murphy from Streatham and John Opie from Herne Hill were both murdered in unrelated killings on Tuesday, August 22, with the cause of both their deaths identified as stab wounds.

The killings occurred despite a knife amnesty held earlier this year, hailed as a success by Lambeth police.

Police were called by a member of the public to a house in Bournevale Road, Streatham, at around 12.55am, where 38-year-old Mr Murphy was found dead in a pool of blood.

Investigators believe he had received the fatal injuries following a fight inside the premises.

After a post mortem it was revealed that he died from stab wounds to the chest.

The murder was particularly tragic because Mark's girlfriend is expecting a baby in four months time.

His brother Paul said: "He's great with kids. He would have made sure his son didn't want for anything. Mark was always doing favours for people. If he only had a penny left in his pocket he would give it to someone in need.

"It seems to be the done thing to carry a knife these days. We don't need amnesties or initiatives, we need more visible police officers in the streets."

At 7.30pm on the same day of Mark's death, police were called by a member of the public to the second knife attack in Delawyk Crescent, Herne Hill, after reports of a fight.

The 25-year-old Mr Obie of Dulwich Road was found lying in the road and was pronounced dead at the scene.

His cause of death was a single stab wound to his stomach, which he is thought to have received during the street fight.

  • Patricia Gillette, aged 37, of James Boswell Close, Streatham, has been charged with the murder of Mr Murphy.

A second woman and a man who had been arrested in connection to the killing were bailed without charge.

Anthony Hogg, aged 28, of Delawyk Crescent, Herne Hill, has been charged with Mr Obie's murder and has been remanded in custody.

  • Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with any information about either of the two murders to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.