Sentenced: 19 months for killing homeless man

Lewsza. Pic: Metropolitan Police

Rafal Lewsza. Pic: Metropolitan Police

A 37-year-old man has been jailed  for 19 months, after being found guilty of killing a homeless man in Hackney last November.

Rafal Lewsza, 37, of Leaside Road, Clapton, was sentenced on Thursday after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of Miroslaw Glaza, a 50 year old Polish man, at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Glaza, who was married with two children, left his family in Poland to find work in the UK. He had been out drinking with a group of friends in Kenmore Street on the night of the incident.

At some point during the course of the evening, Lewsza joined Glaza’s group. Witnesses saw an argument take place, before Lewsza punched Glaza in the face, causing him to fall face-first on the pavement.

Glaza suffered a serious head wound from the fall, resulting in severe blood loss. He was taken to the Royal London Hospital, where he died a few days later on November 6. A scan showed that Glaza had suffered a bleed on the brain from the attack.

Police arriving on the scene were told by the group that Glaza had fallen over as a result of too much alcohol. It was later confirmed by witnesses that Lewsza had made the physical attack. Lewsza was arrested on the same evening at around 10.40pm and charged for assault the following day.

Following Mr Glaza’s death, Lewsza was re-arrested on suspicion of murder and later convicted of manslaughter.

Detective Inspector Robert Pack, from the homicide and major crime command unit, said: “Miroslaw Glaza came to the UK looking to make a better life for himself. Despite his best efforts, he never managed to secure the job he had hoped for. He was not a violent man and his death has naturally left his family and friends devastated.”

He added: “Lewsza has admitted manslaughter and whilst it is accepted that he had no intention to kill Mr Glaza, the devastating consequences have deprived a mother of her only son and two children of their dad.”

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