Gainsborough: The two men charged with the murder of Ivans Zdanovics have pleaded not guilty

Two men appeared in court on Friday 9th May to deny the murder of a Latvian man in Gainsborough.
Ivans ZdanovicsIvans Zdanovics
Ivans Zdanovics

Ivans Zdanovics’ body was found at a house in Etherington Street, Gainsborough, after a fire in January.

Lincs Police said at some point before the 24-year-old’s body was discovered, the house had been on fire.

The force said indications were he died as a result of smoke inhalation.

Martynas Kupstys, 25, of Aegir Close, Gainsborough, and Andrus Giedraitis, 29, of Riseholme Road, Gainsborough, each pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Zdanovics during a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court.

The pair are alleged to have carried out the murder between 15th and 18th January, this year.

Both men, speaking through a Lithuanian interpreter, also denied a charge of perverting the course of public justice.

They are each accused of giving a statement to the police which they knew was not true.

During the same hearing Sandra Kupstiene, 28, of Aegir Close, Gainsborough, also denied a charge of perverting the course of justice.

It is alleged she made a statement to the police which she knew was not true on 18th January.

All three will next appear at Lincoln Crown Court for a review hearing on 11th July.

Judge Michael Heath adjourned the case for trial at Lincoln Crown Court beginning on 21st July.

The trial is expected to last three weeks.

All three defendants were remanded in to custody until their next court appearance in July.

Judge Heath told them: “I am going to adjourn your case for trial.”

“The trial will take place on 21st July and the succeeding days.”

Mr Zdanovics was born and bred in the Latvian city of Liepaja.

He went to school for nine years before leaving to earn money to support himself and his family.

He moved to the UK three years and was working as a food factory operative while living in Gainsborough.

Related topics: