Man accused of killing Canadian pensioner in Willesden with a push
Keith Norbrega died on New Years Day (Pic credit: keithnobrega.blogspot.co.uk) - Credit: Archant
A Canadian pensioner was killed in Willesden after he tried to calm down a row sparked by a neighbour calling his sister ‘big a***’, a court heard.
The Old Bailey heard claims that Janusz Plethiewicz, 44, shoved Keith Norbrega, 71, against a parked car in Roundwood Road after launching a verbal tirade against his sister Eve Norbrega.
Mr Norbrega had a massive heart attack and died hours after the incident on January 1 this year.
Plethiewicz, of Roundwood Road, is now standing trial accused of manslaughter.
The pensioner had travelled to the UK from Toronto to see his younger brother Bruce and their sister at her home in Roundwood Road.
You may also want to watch:
They were all sitting out in a car parked outside when Plethiewicz, who lived above Mrs Norbrega, started calling her ‘big arse’, the Old Bailey heard.
Mr Norbrega’s younger brother started to shout back and at one point picked up a piece of wood.
Most Read
- 1 Kingsbury mandir to be 'Europe's first' vaccine centre in Hindu temple
- 2 Mum's 'desperate' fundraiser as 15 families face eviction in Stonebridge
- 3 Gang member jailed for 18 years after hiding guns and drugs in Cricklewood
- 4 'No light at the end of the tunnel' says Northwick Park surgeon on operation backlogs
- 5 Election candidate 'should be disqualified' for lockdown visit, say opposition
- 6 Estate agents volunteer at Wembley Park's Covid vaccine centre
- 7 Neasden man charged with murder and knife attacks
- 8 Maida Vale woman launches petition after kitten bought online dies
- 9 Mass vaccination centre opens in Wembley Park
- 10 QPR capture the signature of midfielder Stefan Johansen on loan from Fulham
The victim, who suffered a heart aneurysm in 2008, approached Plethiewicz to calm the situation down, it was said.
But the ‘fit and healthy’ Pole shoved the elderly man in the chest, causing him to stumble backwards against the car, jurors were told.
Plethiewicz, who was allegedly drunk, went back into his flat and had to be woken by police when they came to arrest him later that day, the court heard.
A post-mortem report revealed Mr Norbrega had ‘significant issues’ with his heart that meant he was at an increased risk of sudden death at any time, jurors heard.
Jonathon Polnay, prosecuting, told the court: “It is not the prosecution case at all that this defendant intended to cause Mr Norbrega’s death, but he is still legally responsible for causing the death.”
Plethiewicz denies manslaughter.
The trial continues.
