Man Jailed For Royston Murder

28 February 2011, 13:40 | Updated: 8 March 2011, 11:19

A man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after admitting the murder of a woman in Royston.

32 year old Tomas Navicas [pictured - right] murdered 43 year old Svetlana Olsveka at the home they shared in Ermine Close, Royston, in March last year.

She was found at the house on the 15th March, having died from internal bleeding caused by injuries to the chest and stomach.

Navicas pleaded guilty at the start of his trial at Luton Crown Court this morning, and has been jailed for life.

He will serve a minimum of 14 years in jail.

Svetlana left behind a daughter in her early 20s, a mother and a brother who all live in Daugavpils area of Latvia. Svetlana came to the UK to work five years ago but kept in regular contact with her family.

Detective Inspector Sharn Basra from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit said: "This was such a tragic case. Svetlana was taken from the people she loved in such a cruel manor and they have been left devastated.

Svetlana came to the country for a better life and to send money home.

She met Thomas Navickas, who was an alcoholic, and fell fowl to the perils of alcohol.

She suffered domestic abuse throughout their relationship, which went unreported and due to her having no other ties, she felt compelled to stay with him.

On the night in question both had been drinking, but he uncontrollably so and his violence was so severe it tragically led to her death.

Svetlana's family described her as a loving a devoted mother.

It is unfortunate that the first time her family come to the country it is due to these judicial proceedings but I am pleased that Tomas pleaded guilty to spare the distress the trial would undoubtedly have bought them."