Shipdham man who killed wife fails to appear in court

Rafal Winiarski, 42, has always denied the murder of Malgorzata Lechanska, 37, whose body was found at their home in Lake Close, Shipdham.

Malgorzata Lechanska (Image: Facebook)But an earlier plea to manslaughter, on the grounds of diminished responsibility, has since been accepted by prosecutors.

Winiarski was due to appear at Norwich Crown Court on Friday so he could meet a psychiatrist who could carry out an assessment of him before his sentencing.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)But Winiarski, who is in prison, refused to attend court meaning no assessment could be carried out.

Attempts were being made to set up a meeting with him at the prison later on Friday, although it is not clear whether this was achieved.

Riel Karmy-Jones KC, prosecuting, said it was important Winiarski was seen by the psychiatrist "one way or another" so he could be assessed.

She said there was "little that can be done" until the report was received.

The case has been adjourned to a date to be fixed.

As previously reported, Winiarski's plea to manslaughter was accepted at a hearing in December.

Prosecutors said Winiarski had now been seen by three psychiatrists and one of the prosecution experts was able to conclude it was "more likely than not" the defendant was suffering from "paranoid psychosis and delusions of jealousy".

It meant he did not have the ability to form rational judgment thereby affecting his decision-making at the time.

Emergency services were called to the couple’s home on August 1, 2021, following concerns for the safety of Ms Lechanska.

She was pronounced dead a short time later.

A post-mortem examination revealed she died as a result of a severe head injury. An axe was found near her body.

Mrs Lechanska, a mother-of-two, had previously worked at Center Parcs near Thetford.