Wisbech factory worker jailed for life for murdering neighbour

Tomas Acas killed Jolanta Dumciuviene, 38, in her room in a house she shared with others in Milner Road, Wisbech, last May.

Mrs Dumciuviene's body was not found until three days later, on May 7, after friends became concerned about her disappearance.

A post mortem examination revealed Mrs Dumciuviene had died from injuries to her chest, including a ruptured liver, a number of broken ribs and internal bleeding, that could have been caused by stamping.

Acas and his victim both worked at the Del Monte canning factory in Wisbech and lived next door to each other. Mrs Dumciuviene had disappeared on May 4 after a barbecue at Acas' home.

After the killing, Acas returned to the scene of the crime and tried to hide her body under her bed.

Acas was found guilty of murdering the mother-of-two following a trial at Cambridge Crown Court last month.

Today, he was sentenced at the same court and told he would serve a minimum of 16 years by Judge Anthony Bate.

Judge Bate also commended the police investigation team for solving what he called 'a complicated whodunnit'.

Acas's girlfriend, Airina Matulaityte, 24, of Milner Road, Wisbech, was also jailed for two years after previously admitting perverting the course of justice.

Matulaityte lied to police about Acas' movements on the night in question, delaying his arrest and leading to a man being arrested who was later released without charge.

Following the sentence, Det Supt Jeff Hill, who led the police inquiry, said: 'I hope this sentencing will allow Jolanta's family and friends in Lithuania to move on, knowing that justice has been done.

'Our thoughts are with Jolanta's husband, who attended most of the trial, and her children back in Lithuania.

'Jolanta came to this country to earn money for her family but had the misfortune to cross paths with a brutal killer.

'Acas will now have plenty of time to think about the devastation he has caused by committing such a despicable crime.'