Man accused of murdering retiree for home and savings

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 16:03 · Archive

A 60-year-old retiree was murdered for his home and life savings, a court has heard.

Gary Piatek, a 60-year-old retiree, disappeared on 18 April 2024 after he went drinking in Leicester city centre. He lived alone at his home on Broad Avenue in Evington, where he had resided almost his entire life. The prosecution alleges he was murdered by Ibrahim Yosif, 44, of Broad Avenue, Leicester, who then took over the property. Omed Firuzmand, 25, of Ashley Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, is also accused of murder.

According to the court, Yosif began renovating Piatek's home within days of his disappearance and moved in with his wife, sister-in-law, her husband and another man. The prosecution says three of the eight defendants set up a fake tenancy agreement to make the occupation appear legitimate. Some of the defendants then drained Piatek's bank accounts and pension pots, according to the opening of the prosecution case. Leicester Crown Court heard that they did this 'because they were confident that Gary Piatek would never say a thing'.

Piatek's body has never been found. Leicestershire Police launched a major operation to dig up the garden at his home in February this year, but after several weeks the search ended without discovering remains. All eight defendants deny the charges against them. The crimes are alleged to have been committed between April 2024 and February of this year.

How it is being reported

• Retiree Gary Piatek murdered in plot to take home and savings, jury toldThe case has been opened at Leicester Crown CourtLeicestershire Live · 14 Oct, 15:39
• Man murdered for home and life savings, court hearsGary Piatek disappeared on 18 April 2024 after he went drinking in Leicester.BBC Leicester · 14 Oct, 14:45

In this story: Gary Piatek · Ibrahim Yosif · Omed Firuzmand · Leicester · Leicestershire Police · Leicester Crown Court

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