More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
The mother of the homeless man brutally murdered by two killers in a Dover cemetery has has told of losing her "treasure".
Janine Lacheta wrote: "I wish I could look straight into the eyes of the murderers and ask them why they were tormenting and abusing my son in such a cruel way?
"I think they are people without a heart who do not understand human feelings in a mother's heart. They have deprived me of the meaning of my life in such a brutal way, taking away my biggest treasure."
Piotr Lacheta, 55, was savagely kicked to death by his lover Claire Lunn, 48, and friend Justin Burnett as he sat in his tent in Cowgate Cemetery.
The two turned on helpless Mr Lacheta - known as Polish Pete - as he cried: "Mama, Mama."
"They were probably the last words he ever spoke," said Judge Philip Statman. "He couldn't say who inflicted what wounds - but neither of them showed a hint of remorse for what they had done when Mr Lacheta was beaten and had part of his ear ripped off.
"There was little emotion from either of you for what happened when Mr Lacheta died a lonely death."
The two of them have received life sentences and Judge Statman ruled that Burnett, who is suffering from a personality disorder, and Lunn should both serve a minimum of 19 years before they can be eligible for parole.
Mr Lacheta was one of twins who left his native Poland to look for work in Kent but ended up living in a tent and teamed up with alcoholic Lunn.
The trial heard extensively how Burnett blames the killing on his alter ego, “Jason” - a voice he had heard in his head since he was six-years-old.
He said Jason was his friend who lives in the left side of his head who first appeared when he was a boy not long after his stepfather tried to drown him in the bath.
"There was little emotion from either of you for what happened..."
He told a health worker that occasionally Jason takes over his body and he does not know what he has done.
Burnett said he had no memory and denied drinking, adding: “That was Jason...not me.”
The trial heard earlier that Lunn had told Burnett’s girlfriend Lisa Taylor how she wanted to kill Mr Lacheta.
The pair were said to have a violent relationship and Lunn had been seen previously with a black eye which she blamed on her partner. At the time of the murder, she was facing a charge of assault against Mr Lacheta.
On the day he was killed all four had been drinking. Lunn and Taylor were sharing a bottle of vodka and Lunn allegedly asked Taylor to help her buy a penknife so she could vandalise Lacheta’s tent.
Burnett then spent part of the day in Deal with Ms Taylor at her mum’s home.
They were invited to stay that night but Burnett returned to the graveyard where he stayed with Lunn in her tent. The next day dog walker Corinne McKay discovered a body in Cowgate Cemetery and was approached by Lunn, who was holding a bottle of cider and asked “What’s happened?” before repeating: “That’s my partner.”
The two attacked the victim during a drunken row on September 30, 2019.
When questioned Burnett claimed he and Lunn had been in the tent together all night and did not hear any arguments. But neighbours living nearby on Cowgate Hill said they heard men’s voices shouting.
Detective Chief Inspector Gavin Moss, senior investigating officer for the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "These two defendants carried out the brutal murder of a vulnerable man who they both knew well.
"Their actions have shown them to be unpredictable, violent offenders and I am pleased this verdict will see them removed from the streets of Dover and unable to harm others.
"Mr Lacheta's death was a tragedy for everyone who knew him. While nothing can undo the harm these offenders caused, I hope the thorough investigation we have carried out and the resulting verdicts will give his family and friends a sense that justice has been done."
The court also heard that four of the tent dwellers have since turned their lives round and now live in accommodation and are alcohol-free.
The prosecutor said it was sad that it had taken the death of Mr Lacheta to bring about the change in their circumstances.
Judge Statman also praised outreach workers Vee Bentley, Noel Beamish and James Moorhouse from Porchlight who took care of the community.
He commended the officers who carried out the murder investigation including DCI Gavin Moss, DS Lewis Tompsett, DC Lisa Tingley, PCs Michael McKeen, Eila Russell and Maria Redgewell and PSE Lenny Johnston.
For information on how we can report on court proceedings, click here.
