Sadistic father, 41, who murdered his son, two, by shooting him with a BB gun, stabbing him and smothering him with a pillow to get back at his ex who had a new partner is jailed for life
- Lukasz Czapla, 41, was on trial for killing Julius Czapla at address in Muirhouse, Edinburgh, in November 2020
- Two-week hearing at High Court in Edinburgh ended with a jury unanimously finding Czapla guilty of murder
- Lord Beckett proceeded straight to sentencing him to life in prison with a minimum of 23 years before parole
- In a statement made afterwards, mother Patrycja Szczesniak said she feels her son’s fear and pain every day
A sadistic father who murdered his two-year-old son by shooting him with a BB gun, stabbing him and smothering him with a pillow ‘out of spite towards his ex-partner’ has been jailed for life.
Lukasz Czapla, 41, was unanimously found guilty of the killing of Julius Czapla at an address in Muirhouse, Edinburgh, in November 2020.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard it was in an act of ‘revenge and jealousy’ to ‘get back’ at his former partner, whom he had discovered was in a new relationship.
Lord Beckett proceeded straight to sentencing the convicted criminal to life in prison with a minimum of 23 years before parole.
Speaking after the sentencing, mother Patrycja Szczesniak said she feels her son’s fear and pain every day – and wishes she could hug him.
She said: ‘I only wanted the best for you. If only I could only turn back time to have you in my arms again my child.’
Lukasz Czapla, 41, was on trial for killing his two-year-old son Julius Czapla (pictured above) at an address in Muirhouse, Edinburgh, in November 2020
Speaking after the sentencing, mother Patrycja Szczesniak said she feels her son’s fear and pain every day – and wishes she could hug him. Pictured: Julius with his mother Patrycja in a handout photo issued by Police Scotland
The two-week hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh ended with a jury unanimously finding Czapla guilty of murder. Pictured: undated handout photo issued by Police Scotland of Czapla
Czapla had previously admitted nine other charges on the indictment, including dangerous driving offences and possession of an air gun.
Sentences for each of these will run concurrently with his life sentence, the court heard.
Lord Beckett, addressing Czapla, said: ‘You have been found guilty of murdering your two-year-old son. For murder you will be sentenced to life in prison.’
He concluded Czapla ‘acted out of spite to kill the child to get back at his mother.’
Following the verdict, Patrycja released a statement through Police Scotland saying her little boy had trusted his father ‘completely’.
She said: ‘Despite the breakup with Juliusz’s dad, I wanted him to have contact with our son. I never stopped him seeing Juliusz. Julek loved him like every child loves their dad. He trusted him, he trusted him completely.
‘Juliusz was murdered only for revenge. His dad wanted me to suffer, he succeeded and achieved his goal, at the cost of my beloved little boy’s life.
‘If only I knew what was going to happen. I would have never thought he could do this to my child.’
Patrycja said her ex-partner ‘should not have the right to any defence’ and vowed to ‘fight to ensure that monster never leaves prison.’
The former IT technician offered to plead guilty to culpable homicide, claiming diminished responsibility, but prosecutors declined his plea and pursued a murder conviction.
Dt Insp Bob Williamson, of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, said: ‘Julius was a bright, happy young boy and his loss in such horrendous circumstances has been devastating for his mother and his family’ (Julius seen left and right)
Patrycja said her son (pictured above) trusted Czapla completely and that she wanted the pair to have a relationship – but never thought he could kill Julius
Addressing Czapla, Lord Beckett said: ‘As a result of your actions, your son will never grow up.’ He described the murder as ‘truly evil, causing a defenceless child considerable distress’.
The court had heard Czapla had been drinking alcohol and had taken prescribed anti-depressants the night he killed his son.
However, Lord Beckett told him: ‘There is no excuse you were filled with drink and drugs. You acted out of spite to kill this child to get back at his mother.’
Czapla, who showed no reaction when the verdict was called, was led away in handcuffs.
Lord Beckett offered members of the jury counselling services, adding: ‘I suspect this case exceeds the awfulness of cases that we hear.
Tributes (pictured left and right) to the two-year-old boy are seen outside an address in Edinburgh in November 2020
Police officers are pictured at the scene in Edinburgh on November 23, 2020. The court had heard Czapla had been drinking alcohol and had taken prescribed anti-depressants the night he killed his son
‘There can be nothing in your lives that will prepare you for this experience, I imagine it’s taken quite a toll for you to hear about such terrible violence inflicted on such a defenceless child for no reason, and bad reasons.’
Detective Inspector Bob Williamson, of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, said: ‘Julius was a bright, happy young boy and his loss in such horrendous circumstances has been devastating for his mother and his family.
‘Lukasz Czapla is now facing the consequences of his actions.
‘The outcome of this case will never bring Julius back but it does bring this aspect to a close. Julius’ family have understandably asked for privacy during this difficult time.
‘I would like to thank the local community and our dedicated team of officers, along with our partner agencies, who assisted throughout the duration of the investigation.’
‘I wish I could hug him, play with him and watch him grow’: Mother Patrycja Szczesniak’s statement in full
Pictures paying tribute to the two-year-old boy are seen outside an address in Edinburgh in November 2020
Following the verdict, Patrycja Szczesniak, Julius’ mother, released a statement through Police Scotland saying her little boy had trusted his father ‘completely’.
She said: ‘I only wanted the best for you. If only I could only turn back time to have you in my arms again my child.
‘Despite the breakup with Juliusz’s dad, I wanted him to have contact with our son. I never stopped him seeing Juliusz. Julek loved him like every child loves their dad. He trusted him, he trusted him completely.
‘Juliusz was murdered only for revenge. His dad wanted me to suffer, he succeeded and achieved his goal, at the cost of my beloved little boy’s life.
‘If only I knew what was going to happen. I would have never thought he could do this to my child. He was only two and a half.
‘Every day I think about Juliusz. I can’t imagine what his little, helpless heart felt that night and I feel his fear and pain every day. He was part of me, part of my heart and soul.
‘I wish I could hug him, play with him and watch him grow. Every day I ask myself why there is so much evil in this world, why the innocent have to suffer.’
Patrycja continued: ‘He not only took Juliusz life but my life too. That day, the world stopped, not only for me but also for my mother and my sister.
‘Juliusz was a very happy child. He lit up the place wherever he showed up. He could put a smile on anyone’s face and always looked forward to calls with his Grandma and Auntie. They managed to build a strong relationship despite the distance in miles between us and enjoyed every minute they had together.
‘It is breaking our hearts that we are no longer able to take his hand and lead him through life. To watch him enjoy riding his bike and eating his favourite ice cream. Listen to his giggling and laughing and being amazed by the things he learned every day.
‘There was so much we wanted to show him but this chance was brutally taken from us and now the only thing we can do is to prey for the highest possible punishment. We want to believe in the justice system and that justice will be served, although I know there is no sentence that will bring my angel back to life.
‘Czapla should not have the right to any defence and we will fight to ensure that monster never leaves prison.
‘My suffering and my pain will stay with me for the rest of my life. But the unconditional love I have for my baby; my dearest child Juliusz will never end.
‘My family, friends and l will miss him dearly and we will suffer his loss until the end of our days. Juliuszek left us the most beautiful memories that will remain in our hearts forever.’
Source: Read Full Article
