Men killed friend in alcohol fuelled attack

Two men have been found guilty of murdering their friend in Aberdeen earlier this year.

Fuelled by alcohol Tomas Gulbanavicius and Janis Karajevs repeatedly puched, kicked and stamped on Aleksejus Zarskus at a flat in King Street in January.

He died 4 days later in hospital.

Detective Inspector Gary Winter, of the Major Investigation Team, said: "I welcome the conviction today of Gulbinavicius and Karajevs for the brutal, senseless murder of Aleksejus Zarskus in Aberdeen earlier this year.

"Aleksejus was repeatedly kicked, punched and stamped on by the pair who, by all accounts, he considered to be his friends. Unfortunately the injuries he sustained were so severe he would never recover, and he died four days later in hospital.

"I would like to take this opportunity to commend the officers who attended the scene in the first instance, forcing entry and administering first aid to try to keep Aleksejus alive despite the severity of the assault. They carried this out while Gulbinavicius and Karajevs were in a highly intoxicated and aggressive state, creating extremely difficult circumstances in which to try and save someone's life.

"My thoughts at this time are with his family and friends. I know today's outcome cannot change what happened, however I hope that the verdict at court can provide them with some comfort."

At the High Court in Aberdeen earlier the pair were convicted of killing the 42 year old - they'll be sentenced at a later date.