Double murder accused remanded in custody over ‘brutal’ stabbings

Emily Pennink, PA
A forensic officer at the scene in Tavistock Gardens, Goodmayes - Credit: PA
A man from Plaistow has appeared in court accused of a “brutal” double murder in Goodmayes which left one victim with 52 stab wounds.
Georgian national Vytautas Garmus, also known as Vepkhvia Laliashuilia, is charged with murdering Dainius Kulboka, 43, and Jonas Semenas, 45, on Saturday January 10.
Police had been called to Tavistock Gardens, around 4.30am on Sunday following reports of a disturbance.
The victims, both Lithuanians, were pronounced dead at the scene.
A post-mortem examination on Tuesday found the cause of death for both men to be stab injuries.
On Friday, the 48-year-old defendant, of Prince Regent Lane, was brought before Judge Mark Lucraft QC at the Old Bailey.
Garmus, whose native language is Georgian, was assisted by a Russian interpreter as he confirmed his name and date of birth.
Most Read
- 1 No 10 at odds with Redbridge Council over masks for primary children
- 2 Ilford church turns into vaccine pop-up clinic
- 3 Former Islington head announced as new interim chief exec for Redbridge Council
- 4 Council offers update on regeneration projects at Ilford BID webinar
- 5 How many Covid vaccinations have been given where you live?
- 6 Redbridge students rewarded by police for mental health artwork
- 7 Council's housing budget and rent rise agreed
- 8 Appeal to trace man following brutal Ilford gang rape
- 9 South African Covid variant found in Ilford, 'surge testing' to begin
- 10 Sadiq has proposed Boundary Charge for cars coming from outside London
Prosecutor James Dawes said the killings were carried out in the “most brutal fashion”.
One victim suffered 52 stab wounds and the other had nine, the court was told.
Judge Lucraft set a plea and case management hearing for April 6 when a trial date will be fixed.
He remanded the defendant into custody.