Dagenham Man Jailed for Fatal Blow to Drinking Pal
Friend Turns Deadly After Night Out
Airidas Janavicius, 38, from Burdetts Road, Dagenham, assaulted his drinking buddy Marius Lakavicius, 44, last July. The pair had been sharing drinks before things took a deadly turn.
Paramedics rushed to Goresbrook Road just before midnight on Friday, 23 July, after Marius was found seriously injured. London Ambulance Service arrived promptly, but sadly, Marius was pronounced dead at the scene.
Cover-Up Crumbles Under CCTV and Forensics
Janavicius tried to dodge blame, spinning a tale of being attacked by a gang of six to eight men. He claimed both men fought off their attackers and that Marius fell ill hours later.
But police weren’t fooled. Hours of CCTV footage and forensic evidence linked Janavicius directly to the assault. He was arrested that very evening, charged with murder and perverting the course of justice the next day.
Justice Served: 12 Years Behind Bars
At Snaresbrook Crown Court on 26 April, Janavicius pled guilty to manslaughter and lying to police. He was today sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Detective’s Heartfelt Tribute
“This drunken attack on his ‘friend’ and work colleague has left a wife without her husband and two young boys without their devoted father,” said Detective Sergeant Brett Hagen, who led the investigation. “No sentence can bring Marius back. I thank his family for their dignity through this harrowing time.”
