Axe murder by gang could be revenge for girl's drug death

A man hacked to death by a gang in south London may have been attacked in revenge for supplying drugs to a teenager who died from an ecstasy overdose.

Daniel McGinty, 24, was found in a pool of blood early yesterday after three men broke into his home and attacked him with axes.

Two women who were also in the house were assaulted with a noxious spray before the murder. McGinty was jailed for 18 months last year for supplying drugs at a party attended by 18-year-old Carla Deary in 2006.

A court heard how he laid out a cocktail of ecstasy pills, MDMA powder and cannabis at the party in West Croydon and asked guests to help themselves. Miss Deary, who wanted to be a make-up artist, collapsed and died in hospital hours after attending the party.

A post-mortem examination showed she died of MDMA or ecstasy intoxication and had traces of cannabis and cocaine in her body.

Police confirmed the revenge motive was "one line of inquiry" but other motives were also being examined, including reports the attack was linked to a row over a Mercedes car.

Scotland Yard said police were called to the scene of the killing in Stockbury Road, South Norwood at 1.35am yesterday.

The victim, who has been named locally, was believed to have been living at the house with his girlfriend. One resident said: "It's normally a quiet estate. This is trouble that has come over from somewhere else, we don't get this kind of trouble with people around here."

Anyone with information should call 020 8721 4155 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.