Matthew Quesada was convicted of murdering Alan Smith in a "frenzied and wordless" attack. (Met Police)
Matthew Quesada was convicted of murdering Alan Smith in a 'frenzied and wordless' attack. (Met Police)

A father has been sentenced to 26 years in jail for stabbing a man to death who asked if his crying daughter "was alright".

Matthew Quesada, 26, was convicted at the Old Bailey of the murder of Alan Smith by stabbing him five times in a "frenzied and silent" attack at a cafe in Leyton, east London.

Quesada's partner, Maria Brigitte, 26, was given a nine-month suspended sentence for assisting an offender.

The court heard how Quesada stabbed Smith, 63, in front of his family after he asked Quesada about his crying daughter at the BB Cafe.

Quesada replied: "What's it to do with you? Go away. What's it f*****g got to do with you?"

Smith was eager to avoid confrontation and left with his partner, daughter and son-in-law to go to the nearby Roma Cafe but Quesada followed them inside and stabbed him.

He had taken his partner and daughter home before returning to the Roma café with a knife to attack Smith, the court heard.

Judge Peter Rook told Quesada: "You are a very dangerous young man. This was a truly grave crime.

"Your reaction was wholly unexpected and out of proportion. You over-reacted and took this as a slight on your parenting."

Acting Det Chief Insp Steve Meechan, said: "Alan Smith was a well-meaning man who simply wanted to inquire about a distressed child.

"He paid for his concerns with his life. Not happy with verbally abusing Mr Smith, Quesada went on to carry out a frenzied and unprovoked attack on a defenceless man."

Smith's son Daniel said: "He was the most important person in my life. My dad was like a guardian angel. I really miss him."

London