A man has been found guilty of stabbing a popular flower seller to death after blaming him for his mum’s death.

Tony Eastlake, 55, collapsed in Essex Road, Islington, after an altercation with his late girlfriend’s son on May 20, 2021.

The Old Bailey heard that James Peppiatt, 23, of Elmore Street in Canonbury, blamed the flower seller for his mum’s death after she took her own life in April 2021.

Tony’s daughter, Paige Eastlake, has said that her dad was “just perfect [and]…one of a kind”.

She added that her life would never be the same after the “senseless” murder, describing her dad as the flower man of Essex Road.

During the trial, jurors were told that Peppiatt had met up with Tony on the evening of the murder in Ecclestone Road where a fight between the two broke out.

The flower seller walked away from Peppiatt but the 23-year-old followed him.

When they reached Halliford Street a verbal confrontation took place, culminating in Peppiatt stabbing the 55-year-old in the back.

Tony then staggered a short distance to Essex Road, where he collapsed and died.

Peppiatt fled the scene of the stabbing and later told the court he threw the knife and his phone into a nearby canal the following day.

The 23-year-old handed himself in to Islington police station on June 1, 2021, and was charged with murder the following day.

He subsequently entered a not guilty plea and was remanded in custody throughout proceedings.

Following Peppiatt’s conviction yesterday (August 22), Paige Eastlake said: “What we have been through as a family is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

“A part of us died that day and nothing will ever help heal the hole that is left in our hearts.

“My Dad was kind, funny, generous, and had the funniest laugh.”

She added: “He will never walk me down the aisle, he will never get to see my children. We will never do anything together again.

“All this was taken from me in the most cruel, senseless, uncalled for way, and that is what we struggle with.”

Police said that a 48-year-old woman was arrested on June 2 on suspicion of assisting an offender, but that she will have no further action taken against her.

Peppiatt is due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey tomorrow (August 24).