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Head-on-beach murderer convicted Head-on-beach murderer convicted
(30 minutes later)
A man has been convicted of murdering a Lithuanian woman whose severed head was found by children playing on a beach in north east Scotland. A convicted killer has been found guilty of murdering a Lithuanian woman whose head was discovered by children on a beach.
Vitas Plytnykas, 41, had always denied torturing and killing Jolanta Bledaite before cutting up her body and throwing it in the sea at Arbroath in Angus. Vitas Plytnykas, 41, had denied torturing and killing Jolanta Bledaite before cutting up her body and throwing it in the sea at Arbroath in Angus.
Ms Bledaite, 35, was made to give over her bank card's Pin number before she was smothered with a pillow last March.Ms Bledaite, 35, was made to give over her bank card's Pin number before she was smothered with a pillow last March.
Aleksandras Skirda, 20, previously admitted her murder.Aleksandras Skirda, 20, previously admitted her murder.
Ms Bledaite was killed at the flat she shared with fellow Lithuanian Skirda in Brechin on 29 March last year. Plytnykas, who is believed to be a former Russian Army soldier, already has a conviction for manslaughter.
He was jailed in 2001 in Germany after getting involved in a fight about money.
Ms Bledaite was murdered at the flat she shared with fellow Lithuanian Skirda in Brechin on 29 March last year.
The High Court in Edinburgh previously heard that she had been killed for her savings.The High Court in Edinburgh previously heard that she had been killed for her savings.
Ms Bledaite's head was found on the beach at Arbroath on 1 April by two sisters, aged eight and 11, who had been playing at the shore. Police searching the sands found her hands soon afterwards.Ms Bledaite's head was found on the beach at Arbroath on 1 April by two sisters, aged eight and 11, who had been playing at the shore. Police searching the sands found her hands soon afterwards.
Four days later, a suitcase containing Ms Bledaite's body was pulled from Arbroath harbour by a police underwater search team.Four days later, a suitcase containing Ms Bledaite's body was pulled from Arbroath harbour by a police underwater search team.
Jolanta Bledaite's head and hands were found on a beach in Angus. Jolanta Bledaite's head and hands were found on a beach in Angus
During the trial, the jury was shown CCTV footage of Plytnykas and Skirda on a bus to Arbroath carrying a plastic Lidl bag which had Ms Bledaite's head and hands inside.During the trial, the jury was shown CCTV footage of Plytnykas and Skirda on a bus to Arbroath carrying a plastic Lidl bag which had Ms Bledaite's head and hands inside.
They were also asked to watch further CCTV images of the pair dragging the suitcase containing Ms Bledaite's body through the streets of Arbroath.They were also asked to watch further CCTV images of the pair dragging the suitcase containing Ms Bledaite's body through the streets of Arbroath.
The trial also heard from witnesses who claimed that the murder had been planned for months.The trial also heard from witnesses who claimed that the murder had been planned for months.
The witnesses told the court of conversations where Plytynykas, who has a previous conviction for manslaughter, talked of killing a woman for her money and cutting off her head. The witnesses told the court of conversations where Plytynykas talked of killing a woman for her money and cutting off her head.
There had even been car trips to find somewhere to dispose of the body, the court heard. There had even been car trips to find a place where a body could be dumped, the court heard.
However, there was no DNA at the murder scene in Brechin to link Plytnykas, who is also from Lithuania, to the killing.However, there was no DNA at the murder scene in Brechin to link Plytnykas, who is also from Lithuania, to the killing.
Ms Bledaite's death caused shock among the people of Arbroath and Brechin. After the verdict, Det Insp Gordon Cryle from the murder investigation team spoke on behalf of Tayside Police.
Thousands of pounds were raised to support Ms Bledaite's family in Lithuania and a memorial service was held on the beach at Arbroath where her remains were found. "We are very satisfied with today's verdict upon what was undoubtedly one of the most horrific murders to have been committed in Angus in living memory," he said.
Ms Bledaite's seriously ill father died the day before Skirda admitted killing his daughter. "Jolanta Bledaite's final moments of life must have been filled with terror and dread.
Vitas Plytnykas denied any involvement in Ms Bledaite's death
"These evil men showed her no mercy whatsoever, blinded by a callous determination to rob her of her hard-earned savings.
"From everything we have heard, Jolanta was a hard working, conscientious woman who arrived here with aspirations of making a better life for herself. By every account she was a good woman - an innocent victim far from home.
"Her killers preyed upon her and we were struck by the level of premeditation that they showed. This was not an impulsive crime, but one that was plotted over several weeks."
He added that it was satisfying that the killers were traced so quickly after Ms Bledaite's remains were found and he thanked police officers, Interpol and Lithuanian embassy staff for their help.
"Thanks also to members of the local community - including those who are migrant workers - in Arbroath, Brechin and throughout Angus and Tayside who were united in their revulsion over this murder and provided valuable information to the inquiry team," Det Insp Cryle added.
"Neither Plytnykas nor Skirda showed any compassion or mercy towards Jolanta. They robbed her and killed her. In the time since neither have shown a glimmer of remorse for what they did.
"We are pleased that their crime will now face the full punishment of law and we hope that Jolanta's family in Lithuania will find some solace in that fact."