A former neighbour of a Polish mother-of-two who was murdered in a Perth flat says she cannot forget what she saw.
Georgina Taylor (32) told The Courier she was best friends with Aleksandra Korkus. Aleksandra, known as Ola, was stabbed to death by former partner Maciej Hetmanski (39) on June 16 at his Firbank Road flat.
Recalling the horrific events, Mrs Taylor said her daughter, Taylar (9), heard ”screams” from the flat below and she went to the property to see Hetmanski stab Ms Korkus.
She and her husband, Aaron (29), lived above Hetmanski and became friends with Ms Korkus, who initially lived there as well. She said Ms Korkus was ”fantastic” and did everything for her children, Nadia (6) and Alan (2). They are now being cared for by family down south.
Mrs Taylor said Hetmanski was an alcoholic who was drunk while working as a mechanic, and said he made life ”hell” for Ms Korkus.
Ms Korkus suffered 45 wounds and later died at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, after being repeatedly stabbed. Last week, at the High Court in Edinburgh, the mechanic admitted murdering her.
Lord Turnbull stated Hetmanski will be sentenced to life in prison but deferred for background reports.
Mrs Taylor, who is now in temporary accommodation, said she still blames herself for not doing more to help.
She said: ”When Ola moved to Firbank Road she was pregnant with Alan and I was pregnant with Skye so we became best friends. She lived for her kids she was a fantastic person, a free spirit who was really friendly.”
Mrs Taylor said Hetmanski drank vodka from juice cartons, and disclosed that Ms Korkus had told her Hetmanski would kill her if she left him.
She said: ”He made life hell for Ola. He liked to play mind games with her and harassed her 24 hours a day after they had split up.
”We used to go out in the close to smoke cigarettes and she told me he had broken her heart she was very unhappy and needed help.”
She added: ”I took her to Woman’s Aid as he had smacked her and also pushed Perth and Kinross Council to get her another house.
“On the morning of the incident I had gone into Maciej’s flat as Ola told me his work had phoned to ask why he was not there. I found him drunk in his bed. He had put flowers through Ola’s door but she was scared.
”I sent her a text later in the day to tell her Maciej had the kids and she came around later. It was only when my eldest daughter said she heard screams that we went downstairs and into the flat.
”Ola was screaming for help but Hetmanski kept stabbing her. I asked him to stop but he just looked at me and continued. Little Alan was in the room but there was nothing I could do. I managed to take Nadia outside but feel I could have done more.
”I haven’t slept since and can’t face going back there that was why we moved house. I think about it every day, have nightmares about it and am now under medication from the doctor.
”Ola was my best friend and I miss her so much as do the children.”
Mr Taylor said: ”My wife can’t bear to go back after what happened. Maciej could be violent and he was an alcoholic he would drink bottles of vodka.
”One time there was a bottle of vodka in one of the children’s prams in the stairclose. He had also been suicidal.”
The Perth Polish Support Group has raised £1,400 for Ms Korkus’ children.
Chairwoman Renata Fraser said: ”The public response to our fundraising efforts has been amazing. We’d like to thank everyone for their generosity in such economically difficult times.
”Our efforts to raise a bit of money for the kids are just a small gesture to help with their loss.”