Three Jailed for 72 Years Over Torture and Murder of Dariusz Michalowski
Three men involved in the savage 2011 torture and murder of Dariusz Michalowski have been locked up for a combined 72 years. The brutal case, which also involved a sinister cover-up, ended at Leeds Crown Court on October 26 with life sentences handed to two of the killers.
Life Behind Bars for Two Killers, Six Years for Accomplice
- Adam Tolwinski (39) of Keighley and Ernest Weber (46) were jailed for life. They face a minimum of 33 years each for murder, covering up the crime, and preventing a lawful burial.
- Piotr Weber (43) from Middlesbrough was sentenced to six years for assisting the cover-up and obstructing justice.
New Leads Crack Cold Case, Body Found in Mixenden
Years of painstaking police work finally cracked the mystery of Dariusz’s disappearance. The Homicide and Major Enquiry Team reopened the case in 2020 after fresh intelligence triggered new interviews. One key witness handed over vital information, leading to all three men’s arrests and the grim discovery of Dariusz’s body in Mixenden.
Drugs, Alcohol and Brutal Attack: Killer’s Motive Revealed
Dariusz had family ties to the Weber brothers in Poland and had worked for them and Tolwinski at a garage in Huddersfield. On March 13, 2011, under the influence of drugs and booze, Tolwinski and Ernest Weber confronted Dariusz in his flat. Believing he had exposed their illegal dealings, they subjected him to hours of torture before Tolwinski stabbed him to death.
They dumped Dariusz’s body in a rural spot in Mixenden, hiding it to thwart police efforts. Piotr Weber learned of the murder the next day and helped cover it up, misleading the investigation and blocking a legal burial.
Justice Served But Loss Hits Hard
“The crimes committed against a vulnerable man were appalling,” said Detective Superintendent Tony Nicholson, who led the reinvestigation. “The sadistic nature of the attack and the attempts to hide the truth denied Dariusz and his family justice for far too long.”
David Holderness, CPS Specialist Prosecutor, added: “Dariusz suffered unimaginable abuse before his cruel death. Thanks to strong teamwork with West Yorkshire Police, we exposed the lies and secured justice. We hope this sentence brings some comfort, though it can never undo the pain suffered by his family.”
