Piotr Krowka killing: not yet clear if PPS will appeal sentences

Piotr Krowka, 37, who was originally from Poland, was severely beaten at a derelict parochial house in Maghera’s Glen Road on Saturday, March 31, 2018.

His body was not discovered until April 3.

At Belfast Crown Court on Monday, Adrian Kozak, 22, from Garvey Wood, Ballymena, and Caolan Michael Johnston, 21, from The Fort, Maghera, were told they will serve four and three years in prison respectively, with the same again on licence, having pleaded guilty to manslaughter at a previous hearing.

Kozak was 17 at the time of the killing, while Johnston was aged 16 at the time and described as being easily led.

Following the sentencing, Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie described the sentences as “unbelievable”.

In a message on social media, the Upper Bann MLA said: “I have raised lenient sentencing on multiple occasions but I have to say this is just unbelievable. 3 & 4 years for beating a vulnerable man to death, how is that acceptable.”

When the police first appealed for information about the killing, a senior detective said Mr Krowka “suffered serious injuries to his head and body” while sleeping rough in the building.

Mid Ulster DUP MLA Keith Buchanan said the two men had acted as “judge, jury and executioner,” and said the sentences would “not sit easy” with many in the community.

“These young men tried to take the law into their own hands and act as judge, jury and executioner,” Mr Buchanan said.

“When a life is taken, victims deserve justice and expect a sentence to fit the crime.

“The idea that these men who launched a brutal attack could be on our streets within three or four years will not sit easy with many,” Mr Buchanan added.

A PSNI detective Inspector described the attack on Mr Krowka as “unprovoked and violent”.

They also said it was “a sad and senseless loss of a life,” and added: “Piotr was a vulnerable, homeless man – an innocent man who posed no threat or danger whatsoever.”