Builder who murdered married couple as they slept sentenced to 33 years in prison

A builder who killed a married couple as they slept in their beds last year has been jailed for 33 years.

FETCHEM

by Ellie Henman |
Published on

Lithuanian Viktoras Bruzas killed Patrick and Gillian Kettyle in November 2014. They died of multiple stab wounds in a “brutal attack” that took just six minutes.

Chillingly, the couple’s teenage son hid in his bedroom after being woken by his parents screams. When Bruzas came to his door, he held the handle to stop him coming in.

Through the closed door, Bruzas told him: “I have no issue with you, boy, or your mother. It's Patrick, he's ruined my life. I'm not scared of prison.”

Before the attack, Bruzas had fitted a bathroom at the family’s home in Fetcham and today, the Old Bailey heard how the attack was committed by Bruzas as he blamed Patrick for the breakdown of his marriage.

He claimed Patrick had “ruined his life” by flirting with his wife.

Bruzas, from Walton on Thames, had previously pleaded not guilty to murder but today admitted the killings.

Following the sentencing, DCI Mark Preston said: “Perpetrators in murder crimes always believed they have justification for their actions, as did Viktoras Bruzas. According to the judge, however, Bruzas' justification failed miserably.”

Outside of the court a statement made on behalf of Patrick and Gillian’s family paid tribute to the “wonderful couple”.

The statement continued: “On behalf of the family of Patrick and Gillian we would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming amount of kindness and support that has been shown to all of use during this most difficult time. Pat and Gilly were a wonderful couple who loved each other dearly and they were the most fantastic parents, their children feel their loss terribly.

“It is true to say that the light in our world has been dimmed with their loss.”

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