A self-confessed satanist who murdered and mutilated a friend at his squalid north Belfast home has lost a legal bid to secure a reduced prison sentence.
Court of Appeal judges rejected claims that the minimum 18-year term imposed on Sarunas Nauburaitis for kicking Maris Ludborzs to death and carving the word ‘pig’ into his chest was manifestly excessive.
Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan described the circumstances surrounding the killing, which also involved dousing the victim’s face with bleach, placing a toy rat in his underwear and leaving the body to decompose, as horrific and unique among cases in Northern Ireland.
“The actions of the applicant were depraved and devoid of humanity,” she said.
Nauburaitis, a 38-year-old Lithuanian national, launched the fatal attack following a drinking session at the Oakley Street property in May 2020.
A week later he walked into a police station and revealed that he had killed a man in his home.
Officers discovered the badly decomposed and disfigured remains of Mr Ludborzs (44) in the blood-splattered kitchen.
The letters ‘PIG’ had been carved with a knife into his chest.
Originally from Latvia, Mr Ludborzs had no relatives living in Northern Ireland and was formally identified by his fingerprints.
Nauburaitis was ordered to serve at least 18 years in jail as part of a life sentence imposed after he pleaded guilty to murder at Belfast Crown Court.
Although the trial judge accepted the killing had no satanic links, he nevertheless branded it “disgusting and grotesque”.
Challenging the tariff imposed, defence lawyers argued the sentence was increased too much because of the “shocking” treatment of the victim’s body after his death.
Dismissing the appeal, Dame Siobhan ruled that the 18-year tariff was neither manifestly excessive nor wrong in law.
“It reflects the seriousness and cruelty associated with this crime,” she said.
“This was a gruesome and disgusting murder, the deceased was subjected to a ferocious attack, with his head then ricocheting off a solid object.
“The body was left to decompose and thereafter the applicant, in an act of horrific disregard for what he had done, used the deceased’s bank card.”