Man admits stabbing dad-of-one to death in Falkirk

A charity worker today admitted killing a dad-of-one by stabbing him through the heart during a row.

Zilvanas Popovas, 38, of Westfield Street, Falkirk, was originally charged with murdering Tomas Svezas, 22, on June 21, at the home they shared.

At the High Court in Glasgow he pled guilty to a reduced charge of culpable homicide under provocation.

Prosecutor Derick Nelson told the court that both men and three others, who all worked for a charity delivering leaflets and collecting clothing, each had a room in the house.

Mr Nelson added: “The two men knew each other and there does not appear to have been any animosity between them prior to the night in question.”

The court heard that initially everything was friendly and Popovas and Mr Svezas were drinking together.

At 10.48pm a Facebook live stream was posted on a Lithuanian page from Mr Svezas's Facebook account showing him, Popovas and another man Vaidotas Loveikis dancing together.

But, minutes afterwards Popovas, who came to the UK in 2016, and Mr Svezas began arguing.

Mr Svezas hit Popovas over the head with a mug which smashed leaving him with a gash to his head.

Popovas then grabbed a knife, which was lying nearby, and stabbed Mr Svezas twice. The fatal wound went straight though his heart.

At 11.06pm Mr Loveikis made a 999 call and speaking in Lithuanian said: “Knife stuck in him.”

When police and paramedics attended at 105 Westfield Street they found Mr Svezas lying face down in the hallway in a pool of blood.

Popovas was treated at Forth Valley Royal hospital and had sutures put in his head wound.

Mr Nelson said: “The whole altercation appears to have been brief. The basis of the plea accepted is that there was a momentary loss of control due to the provocation offered by Mr Svezas.”

Judge Lord Woolman deferred sentence until January for background reports and remanded Popovas in custody.

Defence QC Donald Findlay will give his plea in mitigation then.

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