Man found guilty of murdering pub manager

Maksim Iliev will be sentenced on 30 August

A jury has found a man guilty of murder after he struck a pub manager with a baseball bat.

Maksim Iliev, 36, of Union Street, Boston, attacked Adrian Whiting, 35, outside the Carpenters Arms in the town on 14 January, a trial at Lincoln Crown Court heard.

The jury also found Katya Tsoneva, 34, of Red Lion Street, Boston, guilty of assisting an offender between 13 and 25 January this year.

Following the verdict, Mr Whiting's family described him as "a one off, totally unique and utterly irreplaceable" personality who was "adored by all who knew him".

Adrian Whiting, 35, died in hospital after being struck with a bat

Mr Whiting died in hospital 10 days after he was attacked.

The prosecution alleged Iliev murdered Mr Whiting with a "fierce" blow deliberately aimed at the victim’s head.

Iliev denied murder and manslaughter and told the court he was acting in self defence.

The jury reached unanimous verdicts. Iliev was remanded into custody to be sentenced on 30 August.

Tsoneva was released on bail and is due to be sentenced on the same date.

'Screaming' in street

During the trial, the court heard that Mr Whiting collected the metal bat and went to the front door of the pub after Iliev was heard "screaming" with Tsoneva outside in Witham Street.

Jonathan Cox, prosecuting, said CCTV showed Iliev taking the metal bat from Mr Whiting and striking him twice.

Mr Cox told jurors: "The second blow, in particular, aimed and landed to the head of Adrian Whiting.

"The blow, say the prosecution, was fierce. It caused Adrian Whiting to collapse and fall to the floor.

"Mr Whiting never recovered from the injury sustained in that attack. Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, he died 10 days later."

The prosecution alleged that, following the attack, Tsoneva attempted to help Iliev escape justice.

Mr Cox suggested Tsoneva returned to an address that she shared with Iliev to pack items for him. She then used cash and jewellery to pay for a flight out of the UK.

'Tragic and pointless'

Mr Whiting's family described him as a "devoted" family man and expressed their sadness that he had not lived to see his son Sylvester's first birthday.

In a statement released by Lincolnshire Police, the family said he was a "passionate, honest, hardworking individual with a tremendous sense of fun and the most contagious laugh".

He loved his job and was "a huge personality on both sides of the bar".

The family added: "That his life was cut short so tragically, and pointlessly, means that his beautiful baby boy Sylvester will never know his father and his family will never see Adi blossom, get married, have more children.

"It’s still impossible to comprehend that he is no longer here and will never get to live his life."

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