Man jailed over the murder of Anthony Ibbitson in Hull
Mark Vaskouski left his victim unconscious in a burning flat
Last updated 7th Nov 2024
A man who inflicted multiple acute injuries on his victim, leaving him unconscious in a burning flat in Hull, has been sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to serve a minimum of 20 years.
Neighbours and passers-by summoned the fire brigade after seeing smoke billowing from Tony Ibbitson’s home, on Terry Street, just after 8.30pm on 29 November 2023.
Mr Ibbitson, 54, lit his flat by candle light as his electricity had been cut off.
He was rescued by firefighters and taken first to Hull Royal Infirmary and then to Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield, where he died on 1 December 2023.
It was found that he had suffered multiple blunt force blows consistent with being forcefully punched and kicked. In addition to other serious injuries these blows caused a brain injury that rendered him unconscious .
He also had 36% burns on his body.
Mark Vaskouski, 27, of Stroud Crescent East, was identified following a police investigation.
He had visited the Terry Street flat that evening and was heard shouting “Give me all the drugs” and “Enjoy the fire – get out.”
Zoe Nixon from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Mark Vaskouski left his unconscious and fatally injured victim in a burning building. This was the most callous and appalling crime and our thoughts remain with Tony Ibbitson’s family at this devastating time.”
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Amy Keane-Christie leading the investigation into Tony’s murder said: “The attack that Vaskouski subject Anthony to that day cost him his life, leaving his loved ones the heart break of navigating a future without him.
“Tony’s family have shown incredible bravery and patience throughout the course of the investigation and proceedings and I cannot begin to imagine how they have felt having to relive the loss and trauma whilst Vaskouski denied his involvement in Tony’s death.
“It is without a doubt that he is a violent and dangerous man who subject a helpless man to a prolonged, violent and barbaric attack. Without the hard work, tenacity and dedication of the investigation team Vaskouski would have carried on with his life without a second thought for Anthony or his family.
“I am pleased that Vaskouski can no longer cause harm to anyone else and that this serves as a stark warning that we will not accept violence in any guise. We will always do everything we can to seek justice for those who come to harm at the hands of another, and to ensure those who commit the crime are held to account for their actions.”