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Man murdered teacher from Greece in 'unprovoked act of brutality' | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A man who beat and kicked a teacher to death in a "senseless and unprovoked act of brutality" has been jailed for life. | A man who beat and kicked a teacher to death in a "senseless and unprovoked act of brutality" has been jailed for life. |
Mark Patten, 30, of Thornton Heath, stamped on Menelaos Aligizakis's head at a bus stop near Waterloo station, central London. | Mark Patten, 30, of Thornton Heath, stamped on Menelaos Aligizakis's head at a bus stop near Waterloo station, central London. |
An ambulance was called but Mr Aligizakis, 43, died at the scene. | An ambulance was called but Mr Aligizakis, 43, died at the scene. |
Patten, who had denied murder, was given a minimum term of 17 years, at Inner London Crown Court. | Patten, who had denied murder, was given a minimum term of 17 years, at Inner London Crown Court. |
Taught in London | Taught in London |
Det Ch Insp Will Reynolds said Mr Aligizakis, a Greek national, was visiting friends in London during the Christmas period. | Det Ch Insp Will Reynolds said Mr Aligizakis, a Greek national, was visiting friends in London during the Christmas period. |
He was a "well-liked and professional man" whose death had devastated his elderly parents, said Det Ch Insp Reynolds. | He was a "well-liked and professional man" whose death had devastated his elderly parents, said Det Ch Insp Reynolds. |
Mr Aligizakis had lived in London for 10 years, working as a science and maths teacher, before returning to Athens. | Mr Aligizakis had lived in London for 10 years, working as a science and maths teacher, before returning to Athens. |
He had left a club three minutes after Patten and a female friend, having had no interaction with him there, the court heard. | He had left a club three minutes after Patten and a female friend, having had no interaction with him there, the court heard. |
They had a brief conversation, which the Metropolitan Police described as "seemingly good-natured", as they walked towards Waterloo station, | They had a brief conversation, which the Metropolitan Police described as "seemingly good-natured", as they walked towards Waterloo station, |
Patten then repeatedly punched Mr Aligizakis and, after he fell to the ground, kicked and stamped on his head. | Patten then repeatedly punched Mr Aligizakis and, after he fell to the ground, kicked and stamped on his head. |
A bus driver refused to let Patten board after members of the public explained what had happened. | A bus driver refused to let Patten board after members of the public explained what had happened. |
The court heard that the killer and his friend headed off towards Waterloo Bridge, where they were stopped by police. | The court heard that the killer and his friend headed off towards Waterloo Bridge, where they were stopped by police. |
'Horrific loss' | 'Horrific loss' |
Det Ch Insp Reynolds said the attack was a "senseless and unprovoked act of brutality". | Det Ch Insp Reynolds said the attack was a "senseless and unprovoked act of brutality". |
George Aligizakis, Menelaos' father, said "there wasn't anything [Menelaos] wouldn't do for anyone who needed help. | George Aligizakis, Menelaos' father, said "there wasn't anything [Menelaos] wouldn't do for anyone who needed help. |
"I am a retired barrister and during the entire length of my career, with all the cases that I have had to handle and all the ugliness that I have seen and felt, nothing compares to such a horrific loss as is the loss of my son, in such an uncomprehending manner." | "I am a retired barrister and during the entire length of my career, with all the cases that I have had to handle and all the ugliness that I have seen and felt, nothing compares to such a horrific loss as is the loss of my son, in such an uncomprehending manner." |
His mother Irini said the loss of her son was "unbearable". | His mother Irini said the loss of her son was "unbearable". |
"A hug from my child solved all the problems. I have saved his text messages full of love, I read them every day and with the passing I feel his absence even greater." | "A hug from my child solved all the problems. I have saved his text messages full of love, I read them every day and with the passing I feel his absence even greater." |
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