Man jailed for murdering housemate in Stoke-on-Trent
Lukasz Przybla has been found guilty of murder.
A man has been jailed for a minimum of 16 years and two months after he was found guilty of beating his housemate to death in Stoke-on-Trent.
Lukasz Przybla, 34, of Northwich, has been found guilty of and sentenced for the murder of Bartlomiej (Bartek) Sobon, aged 34, following a three-week trial at Stafford Crown Court.
The court heard Przybla had beaten Bartek in the early hours of 20 February 2021 and took photos of him whilst Bartek lay suffering from the injuries.
His death was caused by a bleed on the brain caused by blunt force trauma – punches and kicks by the defendant.
Paramedics were not called until shortly after 9pm on 20 February.
He had multiple injuries to his head, face and torso.
By that stage, Bartek would have been dead for several hours.
The victim’s blood was found on the defendant’s footwear and a t-shirt he had worn during the attack.
In a family statement, Bartek’s mum, Jolanta Sobon, said:
“Life was taken away from you, but no one can take away my love for you. As the quote says ‘he who remains in the memory of the living does not die’ - you will stay alive in my memory, your son’s, your brother’s and all people that loved you.
“Words cannot describe the pain I feel. I won’t ever hear your voice again; you will never call me a mum. Part of me had died at the moment your life ended. My son, I love you with all my heart. I wish I could swap my life for yours so that you could still be alive.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all the effort you have put into finding the truth. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Senior Investigating Officer, DCI Cheryl Hannan, of the Major Investigations Department, said:
“I welcome today’s verdict and sentencing and hope that it will bring some comfort to Bartek’s family and friends.
“Przybla inflicted a shocking level of violence upon Bartek. He left Bartek suffering and then told lie after lie to protect himself and avoid punishment.
“I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to Bartek’s loved ones.”