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Murderer facing life sentence for killing fellow countryman in Eastmoor
Tomas Riauka accused of murder. Wakefield mags
A LITHUANIAN stabbed a fellow countryman to death in Eastmoor.
Tomas Riauka, 33, admitted murdering Linas Kuedaras, 29, at a flat on Marsland Avenue on Friday, May 18, this year.
Yesterday Leeds Crown Court heard how the victim had been found with stab wounds to his back and to his side.
He was taken to Pinderfields Hospital where he later died.
The court heard there had been a suggestion that the defendant had been laughing at the victim earlier in the evening about his troubles with his girlfriend.
An eyewitness said when she woke up Mr Kuedaras was attacking the defendant.
He was on top of him and punches were being thrown.
Riauka got to his feet and armed himself with a knife from the kitchen.
Defending, Simon Bickler QC said: “There was every likelihood having inflicted blows with a knife that death would result.
“That was, however, not the intention of the defendant at the time.”
He said it was a wholly isolated incident and out of character.
Mr Bickler told the court Riauka mistakenly believed the victim had a knife.
The QC told the court: “It was his mistaken belief as a consequence of him losing his glasses and he is extremely short sighted.
“Having seen something shiny he thought Mr Kuedaras had a knife – that was his belief at the time.”
Riauka was further remanded in custody and he is expected to be sentenced later this year on November 9.
The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC, told Riauka: “You have pleaded guilty to the crime of murder. As you know the sentence is fixed by law and in due course I will have to pass a life sentence on you.”
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Weather for Wakefield
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
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