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Isle of Wight chainsaw murder: Jonathan Stasiuk pleads guilty | Isle of Wight chainsaw murder: Jonathan Stasiuk pleads guilty |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A chef who attacked a former councillor with a chainsaw and then strangled him over a "festering dispute" has admitted his murder. | A chef who attacked a former councillor with a chainsaw and then strangled him over a "festering dispute" has admitted his murder. |
Jonathan Stasiuk, 60, killed 73-year-old Gerry White at the Lake Community Gardens on the Isle of Wight on 27 May. | Jonathan Stasiuk, 60, killed 73-year-old Gerry White at the Lake Community Gardens on the Isle of Wight on 27 May. |
The pair were trustees of the gardens and had been rowing about the running of a farm project at the site. | The pair were trustees of the gardens and had been rowing about the running of a farm project at the site. |
Stasiuk, of Sandown, changed his plea to guilty during his murder trial at Southampton Crown Court. | Stasiuk, of Sandown, changed his plea to guilty during his murder trial at Southampton Crown Court. |
He is due to sentenced at the same court on Thursday. | |
The defendant, who previously worked in pubs run by Mr White, had admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. | The defendant, who previously worked in pubs run by Mr White, had admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. |
Stasiuk developed an "entrenched hatred" of Mr White, who served as a Conservative councillor on the island for four years, over "a number of grievances", the court was told. | Stasiuk developed an "entrenched hatred" of Mr White, who served as a Conservative councillor on the island for four years, over "a number of grievances", the court was told. |
Prosecutor Matthew Jewell QC said this included a belief that Mr White acted dishonestly over a £3,000 donation to the farm project from the Rotary Club. | Prosecutor Matthew Jewell QC said this included a belief that Mr White acted dishonestly over a £3,000 donation to the farm project from the Rotary Club. |
He said Stasiuk also thought Mr White was using the site as a "dumping ground" for items from his business and owed his partner £25. | He said Stasiuk also thought Mr White was using the site as a "dumping ground" for items from his business and owed his partner £25. |
On the day of the attack, Stasiuk spotted his former boss walking in the gardens and set upon him with a chainsaw. | On the day of the attack, Stasiuk spotted his former boss walking in the gardens and set upon him with a chainsaw. |
When it ran out of fuel he "strangled and smothered" Mr White before having a drink "to calm himself down" and calling the police. | When it ran out of fuel he "strangled and smothered" Mr White before having a drink "to calm himself down" and calling the police. |
In a recording of a 999 call played in court, Stasiuk was heard saying: "He's called Gerry White and I've just done him." | In a recording of a 999 call played in court, Stasiuk was heard saying: "He's called Gerry White and I've just done him." |
The operator asked if the victim needed an ambulance, to which Stasiuk replied: "I'm going to make sure he doesn't." | The operator asked if the victim needed an ambulance, to which Stasiuk replied: "I'm going to make sure he doesn't." |
During police interviews Stasiuk told officers he had used a chainsaw to give him "the edge" in the argument and was "glad" Mr White was dead. | During police interviews Stasiuk told officers he had used a chainsaw to give him "the edge" in the argument and was "glad" Mr White was dead. |
Giving evidence, Stasiuk said he felt like he was "in a movie" during the attack and "didn't have any control" over his actions. | |
Following the change of plea, Det Insp Toby Elcock, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: "This was a brutal attack on a much-loved and respected member of the community. | |
"Jon Stasiuk shockingly acknowledged that he was the man responsible for killing Gerry White, and yet showed absolutely no remorse for his death throughout the entire process until his trial." |
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