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Life sentence for racist stabbing Life sentence for racist stabbing
(20 minutes later)
A man has been jailed for life for stabbing to death a Polish man in a racist attack in a street.A man has been jailed for life for stabbing to death a Polish man in a racist attack in a street.
Thomas Blue, 25, from Glasgow, stabbed Adam Michalski, 24, four times after shouting abuse at him in Wrexham.Thomas Blue, 25, from Glasgow, stabbed Adam Michalski, 24, four times after shouting abuse at him in Wrexham.
Mold Crown Court heard Blue used a knife he had borrowed to cut his baby's Christening cake with "lethal force".Mold Crown Court heard Blue used a knife he had borrowed to cut his baby's Christening cake with "lethal force".
Judge John Rogers QC said there had been a racial element to the attack and he would recommend to the parole board that Blue serve a minimum of 17 years.Judge John Rogers QC said there had been a racial element to the attack and he would recommend to the parole board that Blue serve a minimum of 17 years.
The judge said Blue was a very dangerous young man who had given his evidence "in a most cold-blooded manner".The judge said Blue was a very dangerous young man who had given his evidence "in a most cold-blooded manner".
He added: "He has never expressed any remorse for what he did."He added: "He has never expressed any remorse for what he did."
"He left a small town in Poland to come and work with other young Polish people in Wrexham Judge John Rogers QC"He left a small town in Poland to come and work with other young Polish people in Wrexham Judge John Rogers QC
Blue, who denied murder and claimed self defence, showed no emotion when the jury returned its unanimous verdict on Tuesday.Blue, who denied murder and claimed self defence, showed no emotion when the jury returned its unanimous verdict on Tuesday.
Judge Rogers said that he was sure than an initial confrontation took place in the town's Kingsmills Road on 5 August, because Blue shouted something abusive about Polish people.Judge Rogers said that he was sure than an initial confrontation took place in the town's Kingsmills Road on 5 August, because Blue shouted something abusive about Polish people.
When he was crossed, by one of the Polish people standing up to him, that resulted in Blue running to his girlfriend's home, getting a carving knife, and returning to stab Mr Michalski four times.When he was crossed, by one of the Polish people standing up to him, that resulted in Blue running to his girlfriend's home, getting a carving knife, and returning to stab Mr Michalski four times.
Prosecutor Andrew Thomas had told the jury Mr Michalski received three stab wounds to the front and a fourth to the back "to finish him off".Prosecutor Andrew Thomas had told the jury Mr Michalski received three stab wounds to the front and a fourth to the back "to finish him off".
ConfrontationConfrontation
The prosecution said that while Mr Michalski was drunk and ready to fight, the defendant was not frightened or acting in self-defence.The prosecution said that while Mr Michalski was drunk and ready to fight, the defendant was not frightened or acting in self-defence.
Mr Michalski was on his way to buy beer from a late-night store when he was confronted by Blue.Mr Michalski was on his way to buy beer from a late-night store when he was confronted by Blue.
Following an argument, Blue went to his partner's house, where he had been staying for a christening of his daughter, picked up the knife and then returned to find his victim.Following an argument, Blue went to his partner's house, where he had been staying for a christening of his daughter, picked up the knife and then returned to find his victim.
Mr Michalski's girlfriend Joanna Kisielewska gave evidence that Blue had been heard to shout "I've got to kill him" or "I need to kill him" as his girlfriend and her mother tried to stop him.Mr Michalski's girlfriend Joanna Kisielewska gave evidence that Blue had been heard to shout "I've got to kill him" or "I need to kill him" as his girlfriend and her mother tried to stop him.
Prosecutor Mr Thomas said the defendant "wielded the knife skilfully and with lethal force".Prosecutor Mr Thomas said the defendant "wielded the knife skilfully and with lethal force".
Mr Michalski came from the small central Polish town of Sieradz and had been in the UK for two years.Mr Michalski came from the small central Polish town of Sieradz and had been in the UK for two years.
The judge said: "He left a small town in Poland to come and work with other young Polish people in Wrexham.The judge said: "He left a small town in Poland to come and work with other young Polish people in Wrexham.
"There he worked assiduously and without causing any trouble for some two years.""There he worked assiduously and without causing any trouble for some two years."
He said the sentence would "provide little consolation to his family and friends in Poland."He said the sentence would "provide little consolation to his family and friends in Poland."
North Wales detectives who investigated the murder of Mr Michalski welcomed the guilty verdict and thanked the witnesses for having the courage to give evidence.
Detective Mark Chesters said after the case: "This was a tragic incident in which a young Polish man who had come to the UK to make a better life for himself and his family lost his life."
He added that he wanted to thank the witnesses for having the courage to attend court and give their evidence which had been vital in proving the case against the defendant.