A Leiston man accused of stabbing another man to death out of jealousy has been found guilty of murder. 

Oskars Kantors, 29, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Wednesday, November 15, and was charged with murdering 41-year-old Agris Leigavnieks in Leiston in October last year. 

Kantors, of Old School Close, Leiston, had also been charged with two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm against two other victims, which he had previously admitted.  

East Anglian Daily Times: Oskars Kantors was found guilty on Wednesday.Oskars Kantors was found guilty on Wednesday. (Image: Suffolk Constabulary)

He had previously denied one count of murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter. 

Prosecution barrister Simon Spence KC said that the “predominant factor operating on [Kantors’] mind that night was jealousy.” 

Earlier in the trial, Kantors had admitted wanting to put Leigavnieks “in hospital”, believing him to be having an affair with Kantors’ girlfriend. 

At 8.50pm on Monday, October 17, 2022, police were called by the Ambulance Service reporting that a man had been assaulted at an address in Old School Close.

The victim - Agris Leigavnieks, aged 41 and also of Old School Close – was taken to Ipswich Hospital by ambulance in a critical condition, where he later sadly died.

Oskars Kantors was quickly identified as a suspect and was arrested near to the scene later the same evening.

During his evidence, the defendant admitted to installing a secret camera in his home to allegedly watch his puppy when he was not home. 

However, the prosecutor said that the defendant had told his friend he set up the camera as he was suspicious of his girlfriend and Leigavnieks’ relationship. 

The court heard that Kantors told his friend that he caught Leigavnieks coming into his house and staying there for an hour. 

Kantors also admitted to being a “functioning alcoholic”, having begun drinking alcohol at the age of nine when he lived in an orphanage in Latvia. 

East Anglian Daily Times: Police outside a property in Old School Lane in Leiston.Police outside a property in Old School Lane in Leiston. (Image: Newquest)

The prosecution disputed whether Kantors’ reliance on alcohol meant that his actions should be viewed with diminished responsibility. 

However, defence barrister Rudi Forston cautioned the jury to be wary of “stereotyping”. 

Kantors has been remanded in custody pending a sentencing hearing due to be held at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday, November 17.

Judge Martyn Levett warned Kantors that he will probably be facing life in prison.