Man who stabbed friend to death is behind bars

COURT: More than 13 years in jail after man killed his compatriot in a drink-fuelled rage

A man who killed a friend after repeatedly stabbing him in a drinkfuelled rage at Christmas time was jailed for more than 13 years yesterday.

Aldis Minakovskis,25, attacked Aigars Upenieks,34, at a block of flats in Thurso Crescent, Dundee, on December 23 2015 before leaving the scene without seeking help for his victim.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard the Latvian national’s solicitor advocate Iain Paterson say that his client regretted taking his compatriot’s life.

Mr Paterson also said his client was remorseful for his actions following the fatal assault.

But judge Lord Uist told Mr Paterson: “If he really regretted his actions he would have phoned for an ambulance.”

The judge’s comments came moments before Minakovskis, of Dundee, was jailed for 13 years and eight months.

A jury at the High Court in Aberdeen last month convicted the car wash worker of culpable homicide. He was originally charged with murdering Mr Upenieks.

Lord Uist deferred sentence for the court to obtain reports about Minakovskis’s character.

During proceedings last month, the court heard how the pair had been drinking on December 23 2015.

The two men started to argue and Minkvoskis struck his pal on his upper body three times a knife.

A jury heard how one of the blows entered through Mr Upeniek’s right arm and went into his right lung dividing a major artery.

Jurors heard how the wound tract was 26 centimetres long. Minkovskis used such force with another blow that the handle of the knife became detached from the blade.

The court heard how following the attack, Minakovskis left his victim dying on the stairway of the flats and made off. He did not seek any help for his victim.

The jury found him guilty of culpable homicide.

On Thursday, Mr Paterson told Lord Uist that Minakovskis was sorry for his actions.

He added: “He displays remorse for what he has done.”

However, Lord Uist told Minakovskis that jail was the only option available to him.

“The sentence which I must impose is therefore 13 years eight months imprisonment.”

Aldis Minakovskis, left, stabbed his friend Aigars Upenieks to death.