A dad who murdered his two-year-old son to get revenge against his ex-partner has abandoned an appeal against his conviction. Lukasz Czapla killed his son Juliusz at his home in Muirhouse, Edinburgh, after finding out the boy’s mother Patrycja Szczesniak was in a new relationship.
In May he was found guilty of murder following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh. The court had heard that Czapla, 41, originally from Gdansk in Poland, shot Juliusz in the head with a BB gun, stabbed him with a skewer-like instrument and smothered him with a pillow.
He was ordered to serve at least 23 years in prison but within weeks launched a bid for freedom after instructing his legal team to challenge both his conviction and sentence. Czapla’s appeal bid was lodged at the High Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh.
However, the killer has now abandoned his appeal against conviction. The court confirmed a hearing for his appeal against his sentence was set to take place next month.
Czapla had offered to plead guilty to culpable homicide, claiming diminished responsibility, but prosecutors pursued a murder conviction. A jury unanimously found Czapla guilty of murder.
Following the verdict, Patrycja said in a statement: “Juliusz was murdered only for revenge. His dad wanted me to suffer. He succeeded and achieved his goal, at the cost of my beloved little boy’s life.”
Her statement went on to pay tribute to her beloved son. She said: “Juliusz was a very happy child. He lit up the place wherever he showed up. He could put a smile on anyone’s face and always looked forward to calls with his grandma and auntie.
“They managed to build a strong relationship despite the distance in miles between us and enjoyed every minute they had together. It is breaking our hearts that we are no longer able to take his hand and lead him through life.
“My suffering and my pain will stay with me for the rest of my life. But the unconditional love I have for my baby, my dearest child Juliusz, will never end.”
Sentencing Czapla, judge Lord Beckett told him: “As a result of your actions, your son will never grow up and his loving mother has lost him forever and can only be haunted by the knowledge of the truly evil things you did.”
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