R v Andrzej Kolecki

R v Andrzej Kolecki

The sentencing judge was entitled to find significant planning and premeditation, and the intense physical suffering of the deceased justified a substantial increase from the statutory starting point. The minimum term imposed was not manifestly excessive given the seriousness of the offence.

Parties
Prosecution: Rex; Applicant: Andrzej Kolecki
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
06 November 2025
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Renewed Application for Permission to Appeal Against Sentence
Outcome
renewed application for permission to appeal refused
Legal Topics
Sentencing, Murder, Joint Enterprise, Aggravating and Mitigating Factors
Criminal Law Sentencing Murder Joint Enterprise Aggravating and Mitigating Factors

Case Brief

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Parties

Rex

Prosecution

Andrzej Kolecki

Applicant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Renewed Application for Permission to Appeal Against Sentence

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the sentencing judge erred in finding significant planning and premeditation as an aggravating factor
  2. 2 Whether the applicant's involvement justified the aggravating feature of physical suffering, including the use of boiling water
  3. 3 Whether the minimum term imposed was manifestly excessive

Ratio Decidendi

The sentencing judge was entitled to find significant planning and premeditation, and the intense physical suffering of the deceased justified a substantial increase from the statutory starting point. The minimum term imposed was not manifestly excessive given the seriousness of the offence.

Court Disposition

renewed application for permission to appeal refused

Orders

  • minimum term of 19 years' imprisonment for murder upheld
  • two years for assault occasioning actual bodily harm to run concurrently