Nicolae Virtosu convicted for murder of Svetlana Mihalachi in Ilford

Nicolae Virtosu, 48, of Princes Road, Ilford, was found guilty of the murder of Svetlana Mihalachi yesterday (July 21).

The “murderous attack” took place on April 9, 2021 where both the victim and defendant lived.

Police said Virtosu left the home to walk along Princes Road after attacking Svetlana with a hatchet, and subsequently sent a text message to her husband telling him that she was dead.

Svetlana died a month later in hospital, on May 12, having been placed in an induced coma.

Virtosu later claimed at trial that he had been hearing voices and that Svetlana had appeared to him as having shining red devil eyes.

The jury dismissed these claims and the 48-year-old’s defence of diminished responsiblity.

The court heard how the defendant had a testy relationship with Svetlana, often arguing with her about chores around the home, noise and money.

Eventually, Svetlana has made it clear she wanted her brother-in-law to leave the home they shared with her husband and 12-year-old son, but Virtosu refused.

Police said that as the relationship between the two deteriorated, 53-year-old Svetlana began to fear for her life.

It was at this point that she reported Virtosu, who was in the UK illegally, to the Home Office.

In March 2021, Svetlana called police asking for Virtosu to be removed from the home but was afraid of the implications of making a statement.

Police told her that they would report Virtosu to immigration services.

Sadly, a month later, Svetlana was found at home by her husband lying on the sofa with serious head and facial injuries.

Paramedics gave emergency care at the scene before transferring Svetlana to the Royal London Hospital.

Police found the hatchet used in the attack at the scene and Virtosu’s fingerprints were found on the handle.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Rosamund Ellis said: “Svetlana Mihalachi had been forced to live with a background of threats of violence that ultimately ended in a ferocious and fatal attack.

“Virtosu tried hard to give the impression that he wasn’t responsible for his actions due to a mental health disorder, but his actions were not the result of delusions, they were the actions of an angry violent man who launched a murderous attack on Svetlana as he had threatened to do on so many occasions.

“She was a wife and a mother and the depth of loss felt by her loved ones is immeasurable. My thoughts are with them today.”

Virtosu was also found guilty of making a threat to kill, and not guilty of making another threat to kill, and will be sentenced on October 9.