LONDON, UK – Two men have been found guilty of the brutal murder of Rafal Zabiecki, who was attacked while he slept in his home in Pinner on February 20, 2023. The attackers, Jakub Molga and Andrej Kolecki, were convicted after a jury at Woolwich Crown Court heard how Molga beat Rafal with a wooden table leg, which broke upon impact. Molga then continued his assault with a heavier piece of wood and poured boiling water over Rafal’s feet, all while Kolecki filmed the horrifying attack on his phone.
The extensive investigation that followed, involved piecing together CCTV footage, phone evidence, and finding fingerprints at the crime scene. After their arrests, officers recovered the incriminating video from Kolecki’s phone, despite it having been deleted. Molga, 26, also known as Leon Pedrycz, was charged with murder on February 27, while Kolecki, 61, was arrested and charged with murder a day later.
After pleading guilty to manslaughter at the start of the trial, Molga claimed he hadn’t intended to cause serious harm to Rafal. However, the jury saw through this and found him guilty of murder, along with Kolecki. Both men were also found guilty of causing actual bodily harm to another individual.
Detective Inspector Lucy Carberry, who led the investigation, emphasized the exhaustive efforts of the team in proving that the attack was premeditated and meant to cause serious harm. She also expressed hope that the conviction would bring a sense of justice to Rafal’s family, who had suffered immeasurably due to this tragedy.
Rafal’s sister, Magdalena, expressed relief and gratitude that the jury had made the right decision, providing a small degree of comfort to the family. The two men will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, February 2. This case serves as a sobering reminder of the harm and devastation caused by senseless violence, and the tireless efforts of law enforcement in seeking justice for the victims and their families.