Knife-Wielding Drunk Murderer Convicted at Old Bailey
Aturas Kurpis, 39, of Limehouse, was found guilty of murdering Paulius Karalius and possession of an offensive weapon at the Old Bailey on Friday, 2 December. Kurpis faces sentencing at Inner London Crown Court on 9 December.
Detective Chief Inspector Slams Killer’s Violent Past
Detective Chief Inspector Neil John from the Specialist Crime Command said:
“Kurpis is a violent man with a long history of assaults and a previous prison stint for knife offences. Paulius Karalius, in stark contrast, was a man of good character, simply enjoying a night out with his girlfriend.
“Kurpis was drunk but clear in his deadly intent. He threatened to stab Paulius in a phone call, armed himself with a knife at his flat, then went out to kill.
“While Kurpis is behind bars, this offers little comfort to Paulius’ loved ones. This senseless knife crime has stolen another young life, leaving an unhealable void.”
Shocking Details of the Fatal Night
- Paulius, also Lithuanian, was at a Leytonstone restaurant with his girlfriend on 5 November. Kurpis was there too.
- Kurpis, drunk and rowdy, disrupted the night by snatching the microphone from a singer.
- Paulius and friends told Kurpis to leave, angering him further.
- Later, Kurpis made a phone call on speaker threatening to stab Paulius.
- When Paulius left with friends, Kurpis armed himself with a kitchen knife, wrapped it in cloth, and confronted them outside.
- Paulius was stabbed once in the chest, hitting his heart.
- Despite emergency heart surgery, he died six days later from oxygen deprivation to his brain caused by the wound.
- Friends wrestled the knife from Kurpis, who then returned home, called police claiming assault, and was soon arrested.
- He was abusive and violent to officers, clearly drunk.
Killer’s Long Rap Sheet and Failed Bail Escape
Kurpis’ record includes:
- Threatening behaviour with a blade
- Common assault and battery
- Assault on police
- Drunk and disorderly conduct
- Criminal damage and theft (in his hometown)
- Assault conviction in Spain
The fatal knife was a 35cm ‘Kitchen Devils’ carving knife with a sharp point. Similar knives were found at his flat.
After his interview, Kurpis was bailed to a hotel in Ilford while his flat was forensically examined. He fled the hotel unnoticed before police could re-arrest him. He was eventually caught in Dartford and charged with murder.
