Shropshire Star

Murder jury told of 'reincarnation' claim

A Shropshire man facing a triple murder charge told a medical expert he was the reincarnation of a person born in 1852.

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Robin Stanislaw Ligus

A Shropshire man facing a triple murder charge told a medical expert he was the reincarnation of a person born in 1852.

Robin Ligus made the admission to Dr Henry Lisk during an interview in 2009.

The 59-year-old defendant, standing trial at Birmingham Crown Court, said 1883 was also a very "special" year for him, although he could not remember the "murky" details.

The court heard that Dr Lisk carried out a review to determine if Ligus was fit to be interviewed by police following deteriorating health since 2000.

He concluded Ligus was fit for questioning despite suffering with mental issues brought on by a stroke.

In his report Dr Lisk noted long pauses between his questions and Ligus's answers and although the former painter and decorator showed cognitive difficulties he was able to recall his past.

Ligus also expressed a desire to stay in prison for life because he believed he would not be "looked after" if released.

Dr Lisk summarised that Ligus showed ability to reason, was at times humorous, and had the ability to talk about his memories.

Ligus, who began to use a wheelchair in 2006 and had a weekly care plan by 2009, had an adult to assist him during subsequent interviews which were limited to one-hour sessions.

The father-of-three, formerly of Shrewsbury, has been charged with murdering Brian Coles, Trevor Bradley and Bernard Czyzewska, who died within seven months of each other in 1994.

He is currently serving a life sentence for the murder of pensioner Robert Young but has been ruled unfit to plead to the latest charges.

The court yesterday listened to a transcript of a police interview with Ligus in April 2009 shortly after Dr Lisk's report.

They heard Ligus back-tracking on his confessions of murder claiming he had "never killed anyone". He even denied killing pensioner Mr Young for which he had previously pleaded guilty and been charged.

In April 1994, Mr Bradley's body was found in a burnt-out car in Melverley, near Oswestry. Later that year in October, Mr Coles was found dead in his home, near Whitchurch, while in November Mr Czyzewska's body was found in the River Severn.

The trial continues.

By Sam Pinnington

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