Stabbed to death by his son

A psychotic son killed his alcoholic dad by knifing him in the chest 22 times, a court has heard.

Builder Jacek Staszczyk, 48, was found lying face down on the floor by his brother in a pool of his own blood at his home in Hounslow, west London, on 12 December 2021.

Mateusz Staszczyk, 26, denied murder but admitted manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility at the Old Bailey on 27 October last year.

Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson, KC, told the court: ‘Jacek Staszczyk had not been working and worked his way through his savings, including £100 he sent to the defendant.

‘His brother and wider family were concerned with Jacek’s drinking, because of this his brother visited him in the morning and found him intoxicated. He called later in the afternoon and Jacek did not do so.

‘The following morning blood was noted on the outside of the outer door outside the premises
just about the handle.’

Police confirmed there was no sign of forced entry into Mateusz’s home in Chatsworth Crescent.

‘Jacek’s brother came because he was not responding to texts and calls he had made. He knocked on Jacek’s window but got no response.

‘A flat mate let him in. There he found Jacek Staszczyk lying on the floor face-down in front of his bed.

‘His upper body was covered in blood and there were clear knife wounds to his torso. There was no knife to be found.’

That evening just after 5pm, a medical team arrived and Jacek was pronounced dead at 5:23pm.

‘There was no evidence of a struggle. It appeared the defendant had been attacked on his bed and collapsed where there was a pool of his blood and his brother would find him.

‘Examination identified 22 stab wounds to the chest, three had penetrated the heart and lungs. Some of the blows had been delivered with considerable force.’

Police linked the death to Mateusz through CCTV footage and beer that was found under his father’s bed that Mateusz had bought the evening of his death.

‘After the body of his father had been found, the defendant went to the address of his former partner Isabella. He showed a blank expression and no emotion.

‘He said: “What do I have to do for you to not tell the police that I’ve been visiting?”

‘Police noted he was without apparent emotion, staring blankly at them. He was visited by further officers who claimed he was again polite but unemotional.’

Mateusz initially denied he had visited his father’s home on 12 December claiming that he had been at home studying all day.

Jacek Staszczyk, of Great Southwest Road, Hounslow, admitted manslaughter by way of diminished responsibility.

He also pleaded guilty on 14 October 2021 at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court to assault and possession of a weapon.

Jacek assaulted a woman as he left Hounslow underground station in the evening of 14 July 2020.

Mr Atkinson said: ‘She felt a pain as if she had been stabbed. She in fact had a small puncture wound. She had tests fearing that she had been infected.

‘Since this incident she has recorded she has a very real hesitation about going out. Her daughter is also affected by what happened.

‘She had real fears of what would happen having been stabbed by a needle and feared she might contract HIV as a result.’

On 14 October 2021 Jacek was convicted following a trial at Isleworth Crown Court for exposure.

On 19 August 2020 at 5:30pm Jacek pulled away the curtains of his ground floor flat and was spotted standing naked.

Ordering that Mateusz be detained indefinitely in hospital under S37 of the Mental Health Act, Judge Anthony Leonard told him: ‘During your attack on your father you stabbed him 22 times, three of them penetrated his heart and lungs. The stab wounds are close together which means you must have inflicted them in quick succession.

‘When approached by police you did not reveal what happened and none of the clothing you were wearing was found. You got rid of it.

‘This is a very sad case and the family have the court’s sympathy for the situation they face.

‘You’ll remain on anti-psychotic medication for the rest of your life. There is a possibility that you will never be fit to be released.’

Mateusz’s order is subject to special restrictions due to the nature of his offending and the risk he poses to the public of serious harm.