Man dies falling from third floor flat after knife-wielding burglars break into his home

Tributes paid to Sheiku Adams: 'a great guy who never had a bad word to say'

Sheiku Adams, 49, fell from the flat in Denyer House in Highgate Road (Metropolitan Police)

Tributes have been paid to a man who died in a fall from a third floor flat after knife-wielding burglars broke into his home.

Sheiku Adams plunged to his death in Highgate Road, in Camden, north London, on Thursday night.

Police discovered the 49-year-old on the floor outside after responding to a call he was being burgled. Officers believe it was a targeted break-in but they have not said how they suspect Mr Adams came to fall.

Neighbours have since expressed their shock and described the victim as a “great guy”.

One, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Press Association news agency: "It's shocking because he really was a nice guy. He always helped us out.

"He was a very devout man and a very nice guy. He never had a bad word to say and always said hello to people.”

He added: “A better guy you couldn't hope to meet. I don't understand why they chose that flat. This is nice place to live, everyone is nice and friendly so it's very strange."

Chief Inspector Noel McHugh, of London’s Metropolitan Police, has appealed for witnesses to come forward.

He said: “Tragically a man has lost his life in what appears to have started as an aggravated burglary and ended in his death, after he fell from a third-floor window.

"It is very early in the investigation, but I believe two men forced their way into the flat armed with at least one knife.

"This appears to be a targeted attack and there will be people out there who will know who is responsible for the events that led to Sheiku's death. I need to hear from those people as a matter of urgency.

"We need to understand the circumstances as to how Sheiku came to fall out of the window and we are appealing to any local residents who saw two men loitering around the area before 9pm to come forward."

He added: "We will be working around the clock to piece together the circumstances of this case and bring those responsible to justice.”