A seemingly trivial conflict between Romanians, started by the division of household chores, turned into a knife attack that could have a tragic end.
From a casual conversation to a knife attack
The incident took place in a house on Danvers Road, where five Romanian men lived together.
On a Sunday morning, they gathered to discuss the division of household responsibilities. According to evidence presented in court, the argument quickly degenerated.
Lonel Cutitaru, 49 years old, initially punched a man. When another colleague, Costinal Grecu, intervened, the situation escalated dramatically.
The victim told the court that the assailant pulled out a knife and threatened.
“He put his hand in his pocket and took out a knife. He said something like: “I’m going to kill you all”. I saw the knife and wanted to run, but he stabbed me,” he said.
The blow caused serious damage to vital organs
The knife hit him in the back, causing severe injuries. The blade pierced both a lung and a kidney, injuries that could have been fatal.
After the attack, the victim managed to leave the house. Even then the conflict did not stop.
According to the victim’s statement, the assailant followed him outside and continued to be aggressive and threatening.
Another housemate intervened and told the assailant to stop, warning him that the victim was in critical condition.
The aggressor claimed that he defended himself
During the trial at Leicester Crown Court, Lonel Cutitaru claimed he had acted in self-defence.
Jurors had a choice between three options: attempted murder, grievous bodily harm with intent (GBH with intent) or grievous bodily harm without intent.
After almost five hours of deliberation, the jury found him guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent.
Judge Timothy Spencer handed down the sentence: seven years and six months in prison. The court also ordered the payment of a mandatory fee of £228 (victim surcharge), an amount which contributes to the funding of support services for victims of crime.
Reality rarely discussed publicly
The incident brings to light a reality rarely discussed publicly: the tensions that can arise in shared housing, where several people share the same space, often under conditions of stress, fatigue and financial strain.
Although the majority of Romanians in Great Britain respect the law and contribute positively to society, such isolated cases have serious consequences both for the victims and those convicted, but also for the image of the community as a whole.
The police confirmed that the attack could have had fatal consequences and the quick intervention of the emergency services was essential to save the victim.
The names of those involved have been released according to Leicestershire Police’s official statement.
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