Ireland Case No. 5342Manslaughter · Co. Meath · 10 Dec 2022
Woman jailed for manslaughter of partner in Navan, Co Meath
On December 10th, 2022, Zbigniew Czech was found covered in blood on a stairwell at an apartment block on Academy Street, Navan, Co Meath, and Sandra Sandaraite, a 39-year-old woman, was later charged with his murder. In March, the State accepted her plea to manslaughter with excessive force in self-defence. In July 2024 the Central Criminal Court sentenced Sandaraite to 5½ years in jail, with the final six months suspended for two years and the sentence backdated to December 2022.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced29 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Zbigniew Czech was found covered in blood on a stairwell at an apartment block on Academy Street, Navan.
- Where
- The incident occurred at an apartment block on Academy Street, Navan, Co Meath.
- When
- The incident took place on December 10th, 2022.
- Cause
- Mr Czech was stabbed by Sandra Sandaraite, his on-off partner, who said she picked up a chef's knife to defend herself.
- Weapon
- The weapon was a chef's knife, and Sandaraite is described as a chef with professional knowledge of knives.
- Investigation
- Sandaraite told emergency services she had discovered Mr Czech's body and initially denied any involvement, saying she did not know him despite a years-long relationship.
- Charges
- Sandaraite was originally charged with murder, and in March the State accepted her plea to manslaughter with excessive force in self-defence.
- In court
- Sentencing took place at the Central Criminal Court on a Monday in July 2024, where Ms Justice Caroline Biggs described the relationship as toxic and volatile and violent.
- Sentence
- Sandaraite was sentenced to 5½ years in jail, reduced from a 9-year headline sentence, with the final six months suspended for two years to encourage rehabilitation.
- The sentence was backdated to December 2022, when Sandaraite went into custody.
- Other details
- The three-year on-off relationship gave rise to 24 complaints to gardaí about violent acts.
- Protection and safety orders had been secured by Sandaraite against Mr Czech.
10 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGardaí found Mr Czech covered in blood on a stairwell at the apartment block. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident occurred at an apartment block on Academy Street, Navan, Co Meath. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHer plea to manslaughter with excessive force in self-defence was accepted by the State in March. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe sentencing took place at the Central Criminal Court on Monday. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceSandra Sandaraite was sentenced to 5½ years in jail. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe final six months were suspended for two years to encourage rehabilitation. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe sentence was backdated to December 2022 when she went into custody. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe three-year on-off relationship gave rise to 24 complaints to gardaí about violent acts. (irishtimes.com)
- otherProtection and safety orders had been secured by Sandaraite against Mr Czech. (irishtimes.com)
- otherSandaraite was a chef with professional knowledge of knives. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 29 Jul2024Woman (39) jailed for killing man she was in ‘volatile and violent’ relationship with
Sentencing hearing details: judge's reasoning, relationship history, sentence structure (9-year headline reduced to 5½ years), and mitigating/aggravating factors.
victim, Zbigniew Czech, 47, male, non-irish (judged from name)Zbigniew Czechconvicted, Sandra Sandaraite, 39, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Sandra Sandaraite