Elvis Vickers, 48, was sentenced to life in prison at Norwich Crown Court in Norwich, Norfolk, on 20 March 2026 for the murder of his neighbour. Vickers, formerly of Mousehold Street, must serve a minimum of 20 years before he can be considered for release. The sentencing follows the death of 48-year-old Abdul Chadli, who was killed in November 2024.
The incident took place on 1 November 2024 after the two men had spent the day drinking together. An argument about current affairs broke out, which resulted in Vickers stabbing Mr Chadli once in the chest. According to the Norfolk Constabulary, Vickers sent a text message to a friend admitting the crime before calling emergency services seven minutes later.
Vickers was a former soldier who had served in the army for over three years, including time in Northern Ireland during the late 1990s. His legal team argued that he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and suggested he acted in self-defence because he thought the victim was holding a tool. A jury of six men and six women rejected this explanation and found him guilty of murder.
Mr Chadli was born in Hertfordshire and worked internationally on oil rigs in places such as Dubai and Nigeria. His mother described him in court as a quiet, respectful, and deeply caring man. Judge Anthony Bate told the court that the victim’s life was cut short by a sudden and wicked act of violence.
The judge described the incident as a brutal and drunken attack on a man who should have been safe in his neighbour’s home. While the court heard that Vickers made several racist comments following his arrest, the judge stated he could not rule the killing as a racially motivated murder. Vickers will now remain in prison for at least two decades.
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