Man jailed for life over neighbour's death in Hanley
It follows an incident last August
Nathan Miotk, aged 45, of no-fixed-address, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 22 years, at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Friday 13 January.
Miotk and 37-year-old Florin-Dumitru Ciurar had previously been neighbours, each living at Cromwell Court on Stafford Street in Hanley.
In the days prior to the killing, Miotk had stolen the victim’s mobile phone after being evicted from his flat over violent disorder.
Mr Ciurar then confronted Miotk following the theft.
The victim was last seen entering his home address shortly before 10pm on 3 August 2022.
He was found dead in his flat, five days later, on 8 August.
A post-mortem examination later confirmed that Mr Ciurar died as a result of multiple stab wounds to the neck.
CCTV footage from the local area showed how Miotk had tried twice to use the victim’s debit card to access money and also used Mr Ciurar’s door fob to access Cromwell Court after his death.
Miotk, a drug user, was then spotted in Hanley and arrested on 9 August.
He later admitted killing Mr Ciurar and covering his body with clothing to prevent detection.
Speaking following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Ian Fitzgerald of Staffordshire Police’s major investigation department (MID), said: “Miotk was an aggressive and highly dangerous man who admitted stabbing the victim in a frenzy in order to steal his property for personal gain.
“I am pleased he has been handed a lengthy custodial sentence for his crime hope this provides some comfort to Mr Ciurar’s family.
“Our thoughts remain with them, and Mr Ciurar’s friends, as they continue to come to terms with their loss.”