Burnley teenager jailed for 11 years for killing Slovakian man

A teenager has been jailed for 11 years for killing a Slovakian man in Burnley
Drew Wilkinson (18) has been jailed for 11 years for the killing of a Slovakian man in Burnley.Drew Wilkinson (18) has been jailed for 11 years for the killing of a Slovakian man in Burnley.
Drew Wilkinson (18) has been jailed for 11 years for the killing of a Slovakian man in Burnley.

Drew Wilkinson (18) was convicted of the manslaughter of Marek Krivak earlier this month and was sentenced at Preston Crown Court today.

He also admitted a racially aggravated assault and was jailed for 12 months for that offence, to be served consecutive to the manslaughter sentence.

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Wilkinson punched 32-year-old Mr Krivak in the head during an altercation before further striking out at him and kicking him in the head as he lay motionless on the floor. He was wearing a knuckle-duster in his hand at the time of the assault.

Mr Krivak died later in hospital from severe head injuries.

Police were called at around 7.05am on Saturday, October 27th last year to reports of an assault on Hargreaves Street in Burnley.

Officers attended and Mr Krivak was found on the floor with head injuries, a witness to the incident was administering CPR.

Police officers continued to treat him until paramedics arrived. Mr Krivak was taken to Royal Preston Hospital for treatment but sadly died from his injuries on Tuesday, October 30th.

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A post mortem examination gave the cause of death as head injuries.

Wilkinson, of Straight Mile Court, Burnley was initially charged with section 18 assault and possession of an offensive weapon but this was changed to murder following Mr Krivak’s death.

Wilkinson was cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter following a trial at Preston Crown Court.

Detective Chief Inspector Leah Rice, of Lancashire Police’s East Division, said: “Drew Wilkinson assaulted Marek Krivak in an outburst of alcohol fuelled violence, causing the devastating injuries from which he sadly never recovered.

“Today’s sentence reflects the gravity of Wilkinson’s offending and I hope it offers Marek Krivak’s family and friends some chance of moving forward with their lives.

"My thoughts remain with them.”

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