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Peterborough woman killed in “frenzied” murder

A Peterborough man has been jailed for life after a “frenzied” knife attack against his wife.

A woman in Peterborough, named as Ligita Kostiajevas, has been killed in a “frenzied” murder. Andriejus Kostiajevas, 47, has been jailed for life after committing the knife and hammer attack which killed his wife.

Kostiajevas then turned the blade on a child and has now been jailed for life. He received a minimum term of 28 years.

He was described by witnesses as acting strangely at his home in Cromwell Road, Peterborough, on 1 July. Reported behaviour included drinking at least three bottles of chilli oil.

At about 6.35am the following day a woman in her 30s who was also living at the address overheard Kostiajevas arguing with his wife Ligita Kostiajeviene.

The woman was concerned for Ligita’s welfare and went into the room to intervene. When she saw Kostiajevas was holding a knife she tried to persuade him to put it down. He ignored her plea and stabbed Ligita. A boy who was also living in the house was woken up by the commotion and was stabbed by Kostiajevas nine times when he went to see what was happening.

Paramedics attended, but Ligita died at the scene. She had been stabbed multiple times and also had head injuries.

Kostiajevas attempted to evade capture, but officers followed a trail of blood and found him hiding in an outbuilding. He was arrested following an hour long stand off.

Whilst being transported to hospital for treatment for a cut to his hand, Kostiajevas also assaulted a police officer causing an injury to his eye.

Two hammers were recovered from the property, one of which had Ligita’s hair attached to it.

A post mortem concluded that the woman had been killed as a result of a severe head injury caused by multiple blows in this “frenzied” murder in Peterborough. Her injuries are consistent with the use of a blunt instrument such as a hammer. The boy who was stabbed nine times required surgery in an attempt to repair nerve damage to his left arm, and now has limited use of his hand.

Kostiajevas denied charges of murder, attempted murder and assault on an emergency worker. Regardless, he was found guilty on the 25th of February following a trial at Cambridge Crown Court. He was, however, found not guilty of two other charges: assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent and another without intent.

On the 26th of February he was sentenced to life imprisonment, and ordered to serve a minimum of 28 years. Ligita leaves behind an adult daughter, and has been described as a loving and caring mother.

Superintendent Michael Branston of Peterborough Police said: “This was a brutal, frenzied and sustained attack resulting in the death of an innocent woman and significant trauma to a young child.”

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