Man who murdered friend in College Street attack jailed for at least 18 years

Why it matters: Maliusis, 38, of Recorder Road, Norwich, was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday, 6 August, after a jury found him guilty on 21 July of murdering Akatjevas, 39, following an attack at the property last December.

The details: Police were called at 11:37 on Tuesday, 23 December, to reports that a man had been found dead within a property in College Street. The ambulance service attended, but Akatjevas was declared deceased at the scene. A Home Office post-mortem examination indicated he died as a result of injuries to his head.

Maliusis and a 41-year-old woman were arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning. Maliusis, a Lithuanian national, was subsequently charged with murder. The woman, now aged 42, was told in February that she would face no further action.

What happened: The court heard that Maliusis called police on 23 December to report that his friend was dead inside the property. He told attending officers that he had been attacked by Akatjevas the previous day and that he had hit him back twice, but said "there was no way my punches could have killed him".

A witness who was inside the property when the altercation occurred told the court that after the group had been drinking vodka together, Akatjevas started to act erratically and wanted them to leave. She described how the two men had been play-fighting earlier in the evening, but things turned more aggressive, during which she herself was pushed over by Akatjevas.

Following this, Maliusis became enraged and attacked Akatjevas, punching him to the ground and then repeatedly punching him in the face for around five minutes, the witness said.

The pair left the scene before returning the next morning so that Maliusis could look for a mobile phone he had left behind. After finding Akatjevas unresponsive on the floor in the same position he had left him in, Maliusis called emergency services.

What they're saying: Detective Superintendent Matt Adams said: "Today our thoughts are with the family and friends of Ilja Akatjevas. They have suffered the devastating loss of a loved one in the most tragic of circumstances, and we recognise the profound impact his death has had on all those who knew and loved him.

"Ilja lost his life as the result of an exceptionally violent and sustained attack. The ferocity of that assault was shocking and ultimately proved fatal.

"Following the murder, Maliusis attempted to distance himself from what had happened and provided a misleading account to our investigators. However, the determination of the investigation team, together with witness evidence, CCTV footage and forensic findings, enabled us to establish what occurred. This ensured the truth was placed before the court.

"While no conviction or sentence can bring Ilja back, we welcome today's sentence and the fact that the person responsible for taking his life has been held accountable for his actions."

Adams also thanked members of the public who came forward to assist the investigation, along with the officers and staff involved in securing the conviction.

The bottom line: Ilja Akatjevas was found dead in a College Street property last December. His friend Arvydas Maliusis has now been sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 18 years, for his murder.