Gainsborough murder trial: Pair are found guilty of murdering Ivans Zdanovics

Two men accused of killing a man in a blaze at a house in Gainsborough have been convicted of murder by a jury.
Ivans ZdanovicsIvans Zdanovics
Ivans Zdanovics

Martynas Kupstys and Andrus Giedraitis had denied the murder of Ivans Zdanovics, 24, during a five week trial at Lincoln Crown Court.

Kupstys, 25, of Aegir Close, Gainsborough, was found guilty yesterday (Monday 13th April) by the jury and this afternoon (Tuesday 14th April) the jury convicted Giedraitis, 30, of Riseholme Road, Gainsborough, by an 11-1 majority.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The jury spent more than 21 hours deliberating over five days before reaching their verdicts.

Both men were remanded in custody and are due to be sentenced on Thursday.

During the trial James House QC, prosecuting, said that the body of Mr Zdanovics was found by a friend in an upstairs bedroom at his rented terraced home in Etherington Street, Gainsborough, in January of last year.

Five separate sets of fire were discovered in the downstairs of the property.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Zdanovics, who had been drinking earlier with the two men, died as a result of smoke inhalation.

Kupstys admitted starting fires in the house but denied he intended to kill or harm Mr Zdanovics saying he just wanted to damage his property.

He said he had been made to look a fool by Mr Zdanovics over the delivery of a stash of cannabis.

Giedraitis, the brother-in-law of Kupstys, denied he was at the house when the fire started.