A man who beat a complete stranger to death in a ‘brutal’ attack has today been given a life sentence for his murder.

Newham Recorder: Victim Edgaras Kondrotas was murdered in Forest Gate, Newham, in January Picture: Met PoliceVictim Edgaras Kondrotas was murdered in Forest Gate, Newham, in January Picture: Met Police (Image: Archant)

The victim, Lithuanian national Edgaras Kondrotas, was drinking in the Leyton area with his girlfriend on the night of Monday 11th January.

It is believed he met his killer, Irvingas Makasejevas, also originally from Lithuania, that night.

The pair were together in Sebert Road, Forest Gate, between 00.40am and 2.03am the next morning, and at 5.30am, Makasejevas, 40, was seen leaving the area.

Oddly, he was partially dressed and had no shoes on, despite the cold winter weather.

Some 10 hours later, he went to Forest Gate police station where he told officers that a man had died in his room.

Edgaras’ body was discovered at Makasejevas’ house on Sebert Road, and Makasejevas was taken into custody, where he told detectives that he had been drinking in the room with him and let the 28-year-old sleep on the floor.

According to his version of events, when he woke up, he found Edgaras dead.

Makasejevas was bailed, but rearrested on Wednesday 20th January with a wealth of evidence and charged with murder.

During the trial at the Old Bailey, the judge said that this case showed an “extreme level of brutality that judges do not often come across”, and the victim had been “helpless”.

Edgaras’ mother Audra and father Vaclovas, who still live in Lithuania, said: “The death of Edgaras has been the biggest impact that we have ever had in our family. I wish it was me or his father who died instead.

“We have lost our child, our very good child. He was so very good at heart, generous and supportive. He would always help others before himself.

“His brothers will never see him again coming back with a smile or with a football like they used to. They will never be able to hug each other again. His life has been taken too early. He had all his life in front of him. All that was taken away from him.

“We are beyond our breaking point. Losing our child is like taking away our lives. We have nothing to look forward to anymore; our hearts are empty, in despair. The grief is unbearable.

“Every time the phone rings from abroad we are hoping to hear Edgaras’ voice, our beloved child’s voice. He will remain in our hearts and his childhood memories will live with us forever.”