A violent man who repeatedly stabbed a woman he knew at shared accommodation in Dartford has been jailed after, what was described as a ‘cowardly attack’.
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Andrzej Kitrys sub-let a room at a property in Kirby Road, Stone for three months. It was also occupied by the main tenants who were another man and the victim.
The tenants had asked Kitrys to leave and, in the early hours of 8 October 2022, the woman was asleep alone in her room when she awoke to find Kitrys sitting on her bed.
Kitrys said he had killed the other tenant and was going to murder her. He then stabbed her multiple times with a large kitchen knife as the victim fought to protect herself. She managed to disarm Kitrys then fled the premises seeking help, with wounds to her neck, throat and hands.
A neighbour called the emergency services and while the woman was treated by paramedics, armed officers went to the house and forced their way into the building. Once inside, the constables found the other resident, who was in fact uninjured, and arrested Kitrys.
The Crown Prosecution Service authorised a charge of attempted murder against Kitrys. He pleaded not guilty to the indictment and was convicted on 12 September 2023, following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court.
On Thursday 8 February 2024, the 39-year-old was sentenced to 21 years in prison. Kitrys will have to serve at least two thirds of his sentence before he can apply for parole. Upon his release, he will be subject to an extended licence period of four years. Kitrys will also have to comply with a restraining order lasting 30 years.
Detective Constable Rebecca Ward, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said:
‘This dangerous individual inflicted a violent and cowardly assault on a vulnerable woman in her own bed.
‘The victim bravely fought him off and fled the scene thinking only of seeking help to protect the other tenant in the house. Kitrys was swiftly arrested by our firearms officers and is now, quite rightly, starting a very long prison sentence.’