ADDISCOMBE MAN JAILED FOR BRUTAL GIRLFRIEND MURDER
Pawel Sroka was found guilty of murder in connection with the death of his girlfriend, Joanna Trojniak, following a severe assault.During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Sroka, described as an individual with aggressive and controlling tendencies, attacked Ms Trojniak repeatedly with a knife in her residence on Meadvale Road, Addiscombe, in March 2016.
The evidence indicated that the attack was premeditated, triggered by Sroka’s knowledge that she intended to leave him.
The court characterized the assault as prolonged and extremely violent, with her multiple stab wounds inflicted with considerable force.
After the act, Sroka made a call to emergency services, but this was later admitted to be a fabricated attempt to justify self-defense.
He admitted to stabbing her but denied that it was murder, claiming she had initially threatened him with a knife.
Nevertheless, a jury at the Old Bailey convicted him of murder in April of the previous year.
The judge, Mark Lucraft, sentenced Sroka to life in prison, with a minimum term of 23 years, meaning he must serve at least this period before being eligible for parole.
The court pointed out that Sroka’s call to emergency services was part of an attempt to create a false narrative of self-defense, and noted his rage during the incident.
Though his legal team argued that the killing involved significant planning, the court disagreed, stating that his actions before the attack did not negate the fact that he was already preparing to commit murder.
An appeal against the sentence was denied.
