Kilburn murder victim was 'a devoted father who never took a day’s holiday'

A cafe owner allegedly stabbed to death inside his north London restaurant was a devoted father who “never took a day’s holiday”, his devastated family said today.

Huseyin Gulbudak, 48, died from knife wounds after allegedly being attacked with a machete in front of customers at Efes Café and Restaurant in Kilburn High Road.

The father-of-three was rushed to hospital following the attack at 7pm on Monday but was pronounced dead 90 minutes later.

His son Barangu Gulbudak, 21, was due in court today charged with murder. The former university law student was allegedly arrested at the scene by police.

Tearful who relatives gathered at the family home in Enfield last night told of their shock at the “heartless killing”.

A cousin told the Standard: “He was a lovely person, we just can’t believe this. I just keep thinking I’m going to wake up from this nightmare and he’s going to be back with us.

“His family was everything to him. He worked so hard for them to build a better life for them all, especially his kids. He wanted them all to go to university. It’s a tragedy.

“He was a very good daddy. He always put his family first. He never took a holiday, he just worked and worked because he loved his kids and wanted to support his family.

“I can’t believe this. He was a wonderful family man.

“If he had died naturally maybe there is some way to deal with it but this way is too much. I just heard about it last night immediately after it happened and went to the hospital.

“His wife, all of us, we are just devastated. We are all here to support her.”

Mr Gulbudak was originally from Kayseri in Turkey but had come to London more than 25 years ago to start a family and “to give them a better life.”

He lived in a quiet residential street in Enfield with his wife, Sebiha, 42, and three sons Hasan, 24, Barangu, 21 and Bervan, 19.

He had run the café for around 20 years with help from his wife and sons.

One neighbour said: “He was the hardest working man you could know. He left at the crack of dawn each day and was always back late into the evening. They are a lovely family, perfect neighbours.

“It’s just a terrible shock and a tragedy.”

Witnesses today spoke of their shock at the stabbing in the busy high street of the popular business owner, who many knew as Ali.

Brian Mannion, 50, owner of nearby The Black Lion pub, said: “At around 7pm, I heard shouting coming from what sounded like the kitchen of the cafe.

“When I went outside after hearing the commotion, I saw Ali covered in blood along with a guy who also had blood on his shirt.

“I saw him bleeding, He was slouched on a chair. I saw the other guy get arrested. After about ten minutes around a dozen police officers came and there were two ambulances.

“There were four customers in there as well, trying to help him.”

Barangu Gulbudak, 21, of Aspen Way, Enfield, was due to appear in custody at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court this morning charged with murder.