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Aturas Kurpis, 39, of St. Anne’s Row, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 21 years for the murder of Paulius Karalius. Kurpis was found guilty of murder and possession of an offensive weapon at the Old Bailey on Friday, 2 December.
The incident occurred on 5 November 2021, when Paulius and his girlfriend were out at a restaurant in Leytonstone. Kurpis was also present and became drunk and disruptive, prompting Paulius and his friends to tell him to leave. Kurpis then threatened to stab Paulius in a phone call, went to his flat to arm himself with a knife, and confronted Paulius outside the flat, ultimately stabbing him to death.
Kurpis has a history of violence, including serving time in prison for a knife offense. He also has convictions for criminal damage and theft in Lithuania and a conviction for assault in Spain. After being interviewed by the police, Kurpis was released on bail to stay at a hotel in Ilford, but left 24 hours later before being tracked down and arrested at an address in Dartford.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil John of the Specialist Crime Command said, “Kurpis is a man with a history of violence who has previously carried out numerous assaults and has served time in prison for a knife offence. In contrast, Paulius Karalius was a man of good character who was just spending a Friday night out with his girlfriend. Kurpis was drunk, but his intent that night was clear. He threatened to stab Paulius in a phone call, went to his flat, armed himself with a knife and then went downstairs to do bloody murder.”
