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Jolanta killer has sentence cut Jolanta killer has sentence cut
(11 minutes later)
A killer who helped butcher a Lithuanian woman whose head was found on a beach in Angus has had his prison sentence cut by appeal judges.A killer who helped butcher a Lithuanian woman whose head was found on a beach in Angus has had his prison sentence cut by appeal judges.
Aleksandras Skirda, 20, was jailed for life in March and ordered to serve at least 20 years in prison for the murder of his flatmate Jolanta Bledaite, 35.Aleksandras Skirda, 20, was jailed for life in March and ordered to serve at least 20 years in prison for the murder of his flatmate Jolanta Bledaite, 35.
Appeal judges have now ruled that Skirda should serve at least 18 years.Appeal judges have now ruled that Skirda should serve at least 18 years.
Skirda's accomplice, Vitas Plytnykas, was jailed for at least 28 years for his part in Miss Bledaite's murder.Skirda's accomplice, Vitas Plytnykas, was jailed for at least 28 years for his part in Miss Bledaite's murder.
Miss Bledaite's head was found by two young sisters playing on a beach at Arbroath on 1 April last year.Miss Bledaite's head was found by two young sisters playing on a beach at Arbroath on 1 April last year.
The migrant worker had been tortured in her home in Brechin by Skirda and Plytnykas, who wanted to steal her savings.The migrant worker had been tortured in her home in Brechin by Skirda and Plytnykas, who wanted to steal her savings.
The pair, who were also from Lithuania, smothered her with a pillow, before chopping off her head and hands and putting them in plastic bags.The pair, who were also from Lithuania, smothered her with a pillow, before chopping off her head and hands and putting them in plastic bags.
Miss Bledaite was tortured and smothered with a pillowMiss Bledaite was tortured and smothered with a pillow
Her body was stuffed in a suitcase and her remains were thrown into the sea.Her body was stuffed in a suitcase and her remains were thrown into the sea.
Skirda pled guilty to his part in the murder and gave evidence against Plytnykas.Skirda pled guilty to his part in the murder and gave evidence against Plytnykas.
Lord Pentland, who was the original trial judge, told Skirda that he would have jailed him for 24 years, but his sentence was cut to 18 years because of his guilty plea.Lord Pentland, who was the original trial judge, told Skirda that he would have jailed him for 24 years, but his sentence was cut to 18 years because of his guilty plea.
However, Lord Osborne, who heard the appeal with Lady Cosgrove, told the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh that it has been submitted that the starting point of 24 years was too high. However, Lord Osborne, who heard the appeal with Lady Cosgrove, told the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh that it had been submitted that the starting point of 24 years was too high.
Lord Osborne said: "There is no dispute that the assistance which he gave was substantial."Lord Osborne said: "There is no dispute that the assistance which he gave was substantial."
But he added: "The fact of the matter, which is inescapable, is that he was a participant in this horrific murder and must be seen as responsible for his own actions despite the participation of the older man Plytnykas."But he added: "The fact of the matter, which is inescapable, is that he was a participant in this horrific murder and must be seen as responsible for his own actions despite the participation of the older man Plytnykas."