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Murder accused: 'Stepson would pretend to cry'

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
Published date05 July 2022
Publication titleHuddersfield Daily Examiner
Andrezj Latoszewski is standing trial alongside his long-term partner and Sebastian Kalinwoski's mother, Agnieska Kalinowska

The couple are charged with murder, manslaughter, neglect and causing or allowing the death of a child and have both admitted cruelty to a child under the age of 16.

Latoszewski admits manslaughter. It is alleged Sebastian was subjected to physical violence and was forced to carry out exercises in the lead-up to his death. He was found with serious injuries at his home in Leeds Road, Huddersfield, on August 13 last year and later died in hospital.

Jurors have seen "harrowing" footage of the assaults carried out by both Latoszewski and Kalinowska, after a CCTV system was installed at their home and cameras put in Sebastian's bedroom and the living room.

As the fourth week of the trial at Leeds Crown Court got underway yesterday, Latoszewski was crossexamined by prosecutor, Jason Pitter QC.

During his evidence, Latoszewski claimed he had not used significant force when "punishing" Sebastian, and claimed the 15-year-old would pretend he was in pain or pretend to cry. He said he did not want to "ease off" on Sebastian as he thought he would "carry on."

Latoszewski claimed the family had problems with Sebastian lying and not doing his homework. He told the court: "I wouldn't want to insult anyone here but there were instances when Sebastian was pretending to be crying and he would try to sort of obtain what he actually wanted and I really don't believe myself in what I was seeing and I didn't think at the time he was crying."

The defendant also said Sebastian would walk normally, but when someone looked at him he would walk different, "like pretending to avoid doing things."

He said: "There were instances where he was pretending in order not to do things. I became lost with it all and I really didn't know if he was telling truth or lies but for the whole time he kept saying he felt well."

"In a sense, what you're saying is Sebastian brought this on himself?" Mr Pitter asked.

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