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downsmail.co.uk Life for thugs who killed Joele


THREE Lithuanian men responsible for the bru- tal murder of a waiter in Maidstone have been sentenced to life in prison. Maidstone Crown Court heard


that victim Joele Leotta was left with 100 injuries after the three men rained down blow after blow on the 20-year-old and his friend, who they mistakenly believed had com- plained to their landlord about the noise. Joele and Alex Galbiati had fin-


ished work at the Vesuvius restau- rant in Lower Stone Street andwere in their bedsit above the Italian restaurant. Theywere ready for bed when the drunken gang who lived upstairs launched their attack late on Sunday, October 20, 2013. The childhood friends, who had


arrived in Britain just the week be- fore on the adventure of a lifetime. had heard noises from the room above and someone trying their door.


Galbiati shouted out “go away”,


but their locked doorwas kicked in. The court heard Leotta and Gal-


biati were then subjected to a vi- cious attack by Aleksandras Zuravliovas (26), Linas Zidonis (21) and Saulius Tamoliunas (24). Galbiatiwas left with grievous in-


juries and Leottawas so badly hurt he later died. Speaking at the end of the 11-


week trial that found all three guilty of murder and grievous bodily harm, Judge Philip Statman said: “You had within you murderous in- tent. Your conduct towards these


two young men showed no mercy. “You attacked as a pack and used


a variety ofweapons.” Zuravliovas was given life and ordered to serve a minimum of 21 years. Zidonas and Tamoliunas also received life sentences, with a min- imum term of 20 years. The three men will also serve 12-year concur- rent sentences for causing grevious bodily harm to Galbiati that night. Tomas Gelezinis (31) was also charged with murder and grievous bodily harm, but was acquitted by a jury. The judge, police and prosecution solicitor all praised Galbiati for re- turning to Maidstone to “relive such a traumatic experience”, which was crucial to the convic- tions.


Speaking after sentencing, his friend’s family described Joele as kind, loving, respectful and deter- mined, adding: “Nobody can see the painwe carry inside ourselves. In a statement, they said: “He did


not deserve something so ugly to happen to him. “Joele would never sow hatred, violence or cowardice. The memory of Joele is our strength; the memory of his voice with thewords: ‘Every- thing is cool, see you tomorrow’.” DI Ivan Beasley described the


young man’s death as a “tragic waste of life”. Chief Crown Prosecutor Jaswant


Two new bells planned during work at church


A MAJOR project to add bells to St Margaret’s Church in Broom- field and improve its music facili- ties is to start soon, now that it has moved on from the paperwork stage, the church has announced. Last month, a party from the church in Lower Broomfield Road went to a foundry in Loughbor- ough to see the casting of a bell donated by the verger, Derek Had- low. Two bells are to be added to the


peal of three already at the Nor- man church and the wooden bell frame is to be extended. The exist- ing bells will also be re-tuned and refurbished, along with repairs to the tower roof and safety im- provements to the belfry. The church’s Victorian hand- pumped organ is to have an elec-


tric blower added, although the hand pump will remain usable. The project’s planning and preparation stage has taken three years, according to the church. A spokesman said: “Many local organisations and a number of in- dividuals have contributed to this project and we are most grateful.” In the same benefice, refurbish-


ment work at St Nicholas Church in Leeds is already underway, as the entire nave is repainted. This follows earlier work on the inte- rior of the Saxon church two years ago, when wall plaster was re- paired. The work has been funded mainly by a grant from the Friends of Leeds and Broomfield Churches and is part of an ongo- ing restoration programme.


Read archived editions at www.downsmail.co.uk 28 Maidstone East August 2014


Victim Joele Leotta (left) with his friend Alex Galbiati, and below, killers Linas Zidonis, Aleksandras Zuravliovas and Saulius Tamoliunas


Narwal said the “senseless attack” had been “completely unpro- voked”. He said: “The violence seems to


have stemmed from a mistaken be- lief that they had complained about noise in the building. “Our thoughts are now with


Joele’s family, who have conducted themselves with great dignity throughout the entire legal process. We hope the verdict brings some small comfort to them.”


Carwash link


MAIDSTONE CROWNCourt heard that the three defendants had met each other through work. The Lithuanians had all worked


at the car wash on the A20 Ash- ford Road at Bearsted, including Tomas Gelezinis, whose flat they were drinking at before the attack. Gelezinis was cleared of all


charges.


Homes scheme aims to safeguard studios


A REVAMPED scheme has been submitted for housing on the site of Maidstone Studios, off New Cut Road, Vinters Park. In July 2009, Persimmon Homes was given permission for 142 homes to the east of the stu- dios. The scheme, which was never built, included 134 flats, but is no longer considered viable be- cause of a fall in demand for flats and the cost of building them. Hillreed Homes has now ap- plied to build 77 homes – 61 houses and 16 flats – while de- molishing a number of disused temporary structures on the site. 131 parking spaces would be pro- vided. The latest plan fails to in- clude affordable housing, unlike its predecessor. A supporting statement said: “The release of the application


site for development has always been intended to create funds which are to be used to secure the future of Maidstone Studios. “The income generated by the studios’ activities is insufficient to generate borrowing capacity to both upgrade existing facilities and invest in new facilities to en- sure a long-term viable future. “The absence of a land sale will impact on the demand from users and also may threaten the longevity of the relationship with University for the Creative Arts. “A development that provides 40% affordable housing would generate a negative residual land value.”


Maidstone Council will deter- mine the planning application. Boxley Parish Council – page


18.


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