Man attacked days before he was killed, jury told

A man told police he was assaulted by his neighbour before being stabbed to death by the assailant 10 days later, an inquest jury heard.

Calvin Babatunde, 48, died shortly after being stabbed in the neck at his flat in Fen Street, Milton Keynes, in January 2024.

Jay Lupton, who also lived in Fen Street and is in his 20s, was last year made the subject of a hospital order after admitting Babatunde's manslaughter.

An inquest in Milton Keynes heard that Babatunde, who had arthritis and used a crutch, also told a friend "he tried to stab me" less than a month before he died.

Coroner Sean Cummings began hearing evidence on Monday and the inquest is due to last several weeks.

He told jurors Lupton had been diagnosed with autism and was referred to a service specialising in psychosis.

The coroner heard that father-of-five Babatunde was separated from his wife and lived alone. He had not worked his job at a bank for many months because of his health.

In a call after Christmas 2023, the coroner said Babatunde told a friend over the phone that "Jay tried to stab me" and believed he was "a threat to my life".

Cummings told jurors Babatunde reported the incident to police.

The victim's cousin, Olaolu Adewunmi, also told jurors that Lupton had assaulted Babatunde - and "had a knife" - about 10 days before the killing.

She said Babatunde was born in Nigeria, had moved to the UK when in his teens, and had also lived in Manchester.

Lupton was initially charged with murder but he admitted the lesser offence on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Police had said the two men were friends but their relationship had "deteriorated" before Babatunde died.

After Lupton's sentencing at Luton Crown Court in March 2025, Adewunmi said: "Calvin was my closest cousin. He was my best friend, my sounding board, confidant and a good listener."

Cummings said jurors would hear evidence from professionals, and police, who were involved with Lupton and Babatunde.

Lawyers representing Thames Valley Police, the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust and Babatunde's family were at the inquest.

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