Duo who carried out 'savage' stabbing in Boston flat jailed for 18 years each today
Andris Apsitis and Aleksandr Kudriasov burst into the first floor flat in Trinity Street, Boston, and stabbed two of the occupants who were each left with serious injuries.
Apsitis and Kudriasov were both found guilty at the end of a six week trial at Lincoln Crown Court.
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Hide AdJudge Simon Hirst, passing sentence, said the reason for the two men, together with others, going to the flat remains unclear.
He said “This was an extremely serious offence. It was pre-meditated. Weapons were used. Serious injury was caused.”
During the trial Stephen Evans, prosecuting, told the jury that the victims Ramunas Kaleckas and Algis Likso were smoking and chatting with a friend in the stairwell outside the flat.
Mr Evans said “They had not been there long when the front door opened and a group of males came up the stairs.
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Hide Ad“At the front was a male armed with a pole of sorts. Ramunas Kaleckas ran towards his flat pursued by the males.
“He was hit to the back of the head with a weapon. He was stabbed. He tried to defend himself as best he could. He received cuts to his hands and his arms. They were defensive injuries.
“As a result of the assault he had multiple stab wounds to his chest and stab wounds to his abdomen.
“Algis Likso saw the men come up the stairs. He turned to run.”
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Hide AdMr Evans said that Mr Likso was then attacked and stabbed with a broken golf club before losing consciousness.
Mr Likso suffered a fractured skull and serious internal injuries. Mr Kaleckas suffered 11 stab wounds.
Afterwards the attackers were driven to an address in Boston where their clothing was putting in the washing machine and the vehicle was cleaned to remove blood.
Mr Evans said the two victims, who have both since returned to live in Lithuania, suffered serious physical injuries and have been badly affected psychologically. Neither has since been able to work and both have been diagnosed as suffering post traumatic stress disorder.
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Hide AdAndris Apsitis, 36, of no fixed address, and Aleksandr Kudriasov, 42, of Glen Drive, Boston, were each found guilty of two charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and a further charge of perverting the course of justice as a result of the incident on 15 September 2015. Both men denied the charges.
Edna Leonard, for Apsitis, said her client had acted out of character.
She said Apsitis always accepted he was present at the incident and used violence but denied the prosecution version of events.
Mark Watson, for Kudriasov, said he was not the prime mover in what happened.
“He was a hard working man as a lorry driver working long shifts. He came here to earn money to send back to family in Lithuania.”