Man Jailed for Brutal Killing of Young Father in Hounslow
A 26-year-old man has been locked up for 17 years at the Old Bailey for the manslaughter of a young father who came to the UK seeking a better life for his family.
17 Years Behind Bars for Manslaughter
Vitalie Daikov, with no fixed address, must serve at least two thirds of his 17-year sentence. The victim, 31-year-old Kamil Metler, was found fatally injured in an alleyway in Hounslow last October. Emergency services rushed to Montague Road at 2:52am on 8 October 2017 but Kamil died at the scene from severe head wounds.
Horrific Attack in Alleyway
Witnesses saw Kamil being kicked and stamped on while lying injured. A post-mortem at Uxbridge Mortuary confirmed that head injuries caused his death. Earlier that night, Kamil had been at the Yates pub on Bath Road before heading to the alley with a woman and Daikov. The woman fled moments before Daikov left in the opposite direction, leaving Kamil to die.
Claim of Self-Defence Falls Flat
Daikov argued he feared robbery and claimed he was defending himself. However, police found they had never met before. Charged initially with murder, Daikov was acquitted of that but pled guilty to manslaughter at Blackfriars Crown Court in March.
“Daikov’s uncontrolled rage has taken the life of a man who had come to Britain in search of a better life and to support his young son,” said Detective Inspector Will Reynolds. “I hope today’s sentence offers some comfort to Kamil’s family.”
Kamil’s mother broke her silence: “I have not and never will reconcile myself to his death. The image of my son keeps coming back in sleepless nights. He suffered terribly, beaten mercilessly by Daikov, who then left him to die while strolling the streets of London, doing nothing to help.”
