‘Judge, jury and executioner’ killers of Piotr Krowka get prison sentences

Caolan Michael Johnston, 21, from The Fort, Maghera, and Adrian Kozak, 22, from Garvey Wood, Ballymena, had previously pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Piotra Krowka and were sentenced yesterday.

The 37-year-old’s body was found at a derelict parochial house in Glen Road, Maghera, in April 2018.

Although Johnston was handed a six-year sentence and Kozak eight years, both will serve half in prison and half on licence.

Mid Ulster DUP MLA Keith Buchanan said claims circulating at the time, that Mr Krowka had sexually assaulted a woman, were not grounds for such an attack.

“These young men tried to take the law into their own hands and act as judge, jury and executioner,” Mr Buchanan said.

"Mr Krowka is now dead in brutal circumstances. If there were allegations about Mr Krowka then the police should have been asked to investigate those rather than some kangaroo court in a derelict house.”

Mr Buchanan added: “When a life is taken, victims deserve justice and expect a sentence to fit the crime.

“The idea that these men who launched a brutal attack could be on our streets within three or four years will not sit easy with many.”

Mr Krowka, who was originally from Poland, was attacked in Maghera on the night of Saturday, March 31, 2018.

His body was discovered on April 3.

Following the sentencing, a PSNI detective inspector said: “The results of the post-mortem confirmed blunt force injuries to Piotr’s head, and other injuries to his body.

“Piotr was a vulnerable, homeless man – an innocent man who posed no threat or danger whatsoever. This was a sad and senseless loss of a life, and my thoughts – and that of the investigation team – are very much with the Krowka family.”

The senior detective added: “I hope that both these young men will come to understand the consequences of their actions on that night as they spend the next number of years in prison.”