Edgaras Motiejunas, 24, killed Evaldas Simanaitis, 68, with a single punch before proceeding to steal his car

A car thief has been sentenced to five years in jail after killing a 68-year-old Leytonstone resident with a single punch in October last year.
Emergency services found Evaldas Simanaitis seriously injured outside his Matcham Road home just before 4am on 16th October 2023. He died in hospital ten days later
Edgaras Motiejunas, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment at the Old Bailey on Tuesday.
As the BBC reports, prosecutors said Motiejunas, of New Road, Rainham, sent Evaldas to the floor with a single “hard” punch to his face.
The Old Bailey reportedly heard that upon being punched the 68-year-old immediately fell backwards, hitting the back of his head on the stone pavement outside his home. The impact caused a severe injury to his brain.
Motiejunas then proceeded to steal his car, while Evaldas was “bleeding” and lying “unconscious or semi-conscious” on the floor.
Police arrested mechanic Motiejunas later that morning in Boundary Road, E14, where they found him with the key to Evaldas’ Toyota Avensis. They had been called to Boundary Road scene following reports that a man was interfering with a car.
Motejunas pleaded guilty to theft of the car but denied robbery.
Motiejunas, the BBC reports, had numerous previous convictions in Lithuania and Germany. He left Lithuania as a teenager and at 20 he travelled to England via Ireland, reportedly without proper documentation.
In his sentencing remarks, Judge Mayo QC said: “Rather than remain at the scene and summon help for Mr Simanaitis you left him lying unconscious on the pavement and drove away in his car.”

Reading out a statement in court, Evaldas’ son, who has the same name, said his father’s death had left him “upset, anxious and stressed”.
He said: “I cannot come to terms with the loss of my father. I think about him every day.”
Leila Gaskin, defending Motiejunas, said he would “bear a heavy burden for his actions for the rest of his life”, adding: “He accepted that his unlawful actions led to the death of Evaldas Simanaitis and he takes full responsibility for that.”
Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Aytac Necati, who led the investigation, said: “This was a shocking incident. Motiejunas befriended Elvaras who was older and more vulnerable. He went on to assault him, causing him serious injuries, just in order to steal a car.
“Elvaras’ family and friends have suffered with the loss of a loved one and we have supported them throughout the investigation. Motiejunas now faces time in prison to reflect upon his violent actions”
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