INDRE BARYSAITE AND JAKIMOVAS SENTENCED FOR MURDER IN ROTHERHAM

In a harrowing case that unfolded at Sheffield Crown Court, 30-year-old Indre Barysaite was found guilty of the brutal murder of her partner, Zygimantas Kromelys, aged 26. The incident took place in Rotherham on the evening of November 10, 2019, and the court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the circumstances leading to his death.

According to the court, Mr. Kromelys, affectionately known as Zygi, was fatally stabbed in the chest at his residence in Rotherham. The wound was severe enough to puncture his heart and lung, ultimately causing his death. Prosecutor Thomas Kealey QC explained that during the trial, investigators could not definitively determine which of the two defendants, Barysaite or her housemate Jakimovas, delivered the fatal blow. Furthermore, the exact motive behind the attack remained unclear. Despite this, the prosecution argued convincingly that both individuals had conspired to inflict serious harm on Mr. Kromelys, indicating a joint effort in the assault.

Evidence presented during the trial painted a picture of a toxic and destructive relationship between Mr. Kromelys and Barysaite. It was established that the last time Zygi was seen alive was around 21:00, when he and Jakimovas, both Lithuanian nationals, left their home in Rotherham to dispose of rubbish. Approximately 35 minutes later, witnesses reported seeing significant movement of people near the house. Following this, Barysaite contacted the owner of the car wash where Zygi was employed, uttering the chilling words, “Zygi die.”

Throughout the investigation, the police revealed that the couple’s account of events was inconsistent and misleading. Initially, they claimed that Zygi had fallen and injured himself on a spike outside the house. Later, they told police that he had been stabbed by a third party, and at one point, Zygi even claimed he had stabbed himself in the chest. These claims were dismissed by the court as false and attempts to obscure the truth.

In sentencing, Barysaite received a minimum term of 12 years in prison, while Jakimovas was sentenced to at least 13 years. The judge emphasized that although neither defendant could pinpoint who delivered the fatal stab, both were complicit in a joint effort to cause serious harm. The case underscores the tragic consequences of domestic violence and the devastating impact of a toxic relationship, culminating in a murder conviction and lengthy imprisonment for both individuals involved.