CCTV cameras captured two killers as they robbed a man minutes before they murdered a young City lawyer in north-west London.

Soon to be married Tom ap Rhys Pryce, 31, was stabbed to death on Thursday night just before he reached his front door in Willesden.

At around 11.10pm his two attackers were filmed at Kensal Green Station as they threatened a man on a platform bench, indicating that they had a knife.

Although the Asian victim never saw the blade, the pair took his mobile phone, Oyster card and cash.

CCTV footage shows the robbers leaving the station 15 minutes before Mr ap Rhys Pryce followed unknowingly in their tracks.

In Bathurst Gardens, yards from the house he shared with his fiance, witnesses saw how the two overwhelmed him.

Some of his personal belongings were missing afterwards.

Earlier that night, at 10.30pm, the talented Cambridge graduate phoned his fiance, Adele Eastman, from a party to tell her he would be home soon. But shortly after midnight he died from multiple stab wounds to the chest at Central Middlesex Hospital.

The couple planned to marry in September.

"It was the happiest time of his and Adele's lives when they became engaged in October 2005," his family said in a statement.

"They were so looking forward to starting a family together."

Knife quotes denied

Meanwhile Miss Eastman's father denied quotes attributed to him by a Sunday newspaper in which he allegedly urged people to carry knives.

The Mail on Sunday quoted Rod Eastman as saying: "If you value your life and you want to protect yourself on the streets then the only way is to carry a weapon."

A statement said Mr Eastman was "extremely upset" about the article. "He does not recognise the quotes attributed to him and does not condone anyone carrying a knife or a weapon of any kind," it added.

Suspects laid in wait

Police described the suspects, who arrived with a northbound Bakerloo train at 11.05pm, as black, in their teens to early 20s, with dark clothing and hooded tops. One is taller and medium built, the other is slim.

Witnesses saw them loitering in Bathurst Gardens as the Linklaters solicitor, still in his grey suit, walked up the street.

Officers are now tracing people who may have spotted the men on the Bakerloo line train or in Kensal Green just before, during or after the attack.

Post mortem findings that the victim suffered multiple injuries and stab wounds showed it was a "gratuitous, sustained and senseless attack", said Detective Superintendent Julian Worker added.

The attackers may have been hurt as Mr ap Rhys Pryce had "clearly tried to defend himself", he added.

'Gifted young man'

The 31-year-old had an "idyllic childhood" in Africa before his high school years at the exclusive Marlborough College in Wiltshire.

After completing a first class BA degree and MPhil in Classics at Trinity College, Cambridge, he studied law at City University, London, and Nottingham Trent University.

In 2000 he joined Linklaters and had become an Associate.

"Words cannot express our sense of loss and sadness at what has happened," his family said.

"We appeal to anyone who can help solve this senseless crime which cut short the life of a gifted young man who had everything to live for."

Anyone with information can call 020 8247 7821.