Feud clue to axe killing

A man hacked to death with an axe was involved in a long-running feud, police said today.

Detectives investigating the murder in Belsize Park are examining the relationship between the 67-year-old victim and the killer who rained blows on him in the street.

The smartly-dressed killer waited impassively in Eton Avenue for police to arrive to arrest him yesterday morning.

A 37-year-old man from Camden was arrested at the scene and is still being questioned at Holborn police station today.

The victim, who lived in the area, is believed to have known his assailant. Police think the pair were engaged in a feud going back several years.

The two men are said to have exchanged a few words before the attack began.

The victim, whose identity is known to police but whose name was not released this morning, died from severe head injuries.

It is thought he had tried in vain to protect himself with a dustbin lid which was found nearby in the street.

When officers arrived the killer told them simply: "It's private. It's complicated." Witness Nick Blackford, 20, said: "The police came out and arrested him at gunpoint. He had blood on his hands. He dropped the axe on the floor."

Other witnesses told him how the attacker shouted: "You've had this coming for 20 years."

Police said the victim had suffered severe head and facial injuries and was virtually decapitated. A 2ft long axe was recovered at the scene.

A police cordon surrounding the avenue was lifted at 8pm last night and a bunch of flowers was left at the scene.