Muggers killed lawyer because he wore nice suit

London: A city lawyer who was murdered by muggers was targeted because he was well-dressed.

Tom ap Rhys Pryce, 31, was stabbed repeatedly in a ferocious assault on the short walk home from the Tube after a night out.

Police believe he was picked out by his attackers who thought he would be more likely to be carrying valuables because he was wearing a smart suit and overcoat.

Detectives have released CCTV footage taken from Kensal Green station which shows Rhys Pryce going through the ticket barrier at 11.26pm on Thursday.

Police were called to the scene of the mugging in Bathurst Gardens eight minutes later.

Officers believe his attackers left the same station 10 to 15 minutes before he did.

It is believed that they forced him to hand over all his possessions after confronting him in the street.

He was heard to say: "You've got everything of value." Then the pair launched what police called a "gratuitous, sustained and senseless attack" which continued along the road Rhys Pryce attempted to defend himself and escape the onslaught.

He collapsed less than 100 yards away from the home he shared with his fiancee, Adele Eastman.

A post mortem examination revealed that he had sustained a number of injuries to the head, body and hands, including fatal stab wounds to the chest.

It is unclear whether both muggers were using knives and no murder weapons have been found.

The scene of the attack remained cordoned off today as police continued to search for evidence. Flowers and tributes have been left nearby.

A police source said: "Tragically, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's likely the suspects saw a smartly-dressed man approaching and decided to ambush him."

Rhys Pryce and Eastman, 31, a lawyer with royal solicitors Farrer & Co, had been engaged since October. Rhys Pryce was carrying with him plans for their wedding later this year.