Two men jailed for 40 years for murdering homeless man in Brixton

Two men have been jailed for a total of 40 years for the murder of a homeless man in Brixton in July 2021.

Arturas Ptickinas, 29, and Ernestas Aleksandrovas, 30, both of Norwood High Street, were jailed for murder of Mauricio ‘Maurice’ Nascimento.

Ptickinas was given a 21-year sentence, while Aleksandrovas was jailed for 19 years and six months.

The body of Mauricio, aged 44, was found in Rush Common on July 12, 2021.

Maurice had suffered extensive injuries from a brutal attack, including a broken nose, fractured skull and neck, and almost all of his ribs were broken.

Forensic tests carried out on a belt found discarded at the scene, and Maurice’s unbuttoned shirt, revealed full DNA matches to Ptickinas.

A more specialist test was carried out and showed DNA from three people was present – Maurice, Ptickinas and a third man, identified as Aleksandrovas.

The DNA matches, coupled with analysis of CCTV footage, which tracked the pair leaving their home address and heading towards the Rush Common area when the murder is believed to have be carried out, helped build the case against both men.

Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “This case has clearly highlighted what can be achieved when detective ability and high level scientific expertise are combined.

“Maurice suffered a needless, brutal death and I am very happy that these two violent individuals will now spend a considerable number of years away from law abiding people.

“I hope that the substantial sentences handed down bring a measure of comfort to Maurice’s family and loved ones.”

Pictured top: Arturas Ptickinas and Ernestas Aleksandrovas (Picture: The Met)