Murder accused’s friend believed man was unconscious when leaving scene of Welshpool attack

Luzasz Gzik, giving evidence at the trial of Martin Slezak at Caernarfon Crown Court today (November 12), said the deceased Young John Mongan's friend John Anthony Mongan hit him to the face twice in Best Kebab shop.

Mr Gzik said that as he and Slezak left the scene of the incident he thought Young John Mongan was unconscious as he lay on the road.

Slezak denies murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter.

Mr Gzik said he and Slezak got together at 1pm on Saturday, June 27 and the plan was to drink and listen to music.

He said they went to Tesco to buy some drinks including Corona beer and Absolut vodka. He said he drank about eight Corona beers while Slezak had about half under a litre of the vodka between 1pm and 6pm as they were at the football stands down the Waterloo pitches in Welshpool.

Mr Gzik said after 6pm they returned to Tesco to get more alcohol and this time they got one bottle of Absolut vodka which was shared between about four people including him and Slezak until about 10pm.

A third trip to Tesco to get more alcohol took place then before they went back to Slezak's house.

“We got one litre of Absolut vodka and a few bottles of coke and had a drink of the vodka before we went to The Pheasant.

“We had a double vodka and coke each there and we went to the Wellington pub and we had a double vodka and coke there too.”

Mr Gzik said he could not remember if they had one or two drinks there before they went to the Best Kebab.

He said they go to Best Kebab about once every two weeks, they know the owner and his niece and they know the order they usually have.

“We went into the kebab shop, ordered the food and went to the side and then I got into an argument with the younger lad because some sauce was dripping onto my trousers. The younger lad walked away and then I got into an argument with John Anthony Mongan [Young John Mongan's friend].

“I felt some dripping on my leg, the younger male started to be quite vocal about it. He said something to me and I did not hear, so I wanted to hear what he said. He became vocal and he walked out, I asked him to repeat what he said to me.

“I had a conversation with John Anthony Mongan after that and he said the younger man had said sorry. But I wanted to hear what the younger male had said.”

Mr Gzik said the two men then left together while he and Slezak stayed in the kebab shop and were trying to send money to each other to pay for their food. He said at that time he was the victim.

Mr Gzik said there was then a second incident.

“I was hit to the right side of my face by John Anthony Mongan, it was quite a heavy blow and I was a bit dizzy and then he hit me to the left of the my face. I hit him to the left side of his face and then Young John Mongan came into the kebab shop and he started shouting and came towards Martin Slezak.

“I was quite dizzy and was trying to sort out the money for the kebab and Young John Mongan and Martin went outside and I could see them on the other side of the street fighting.

“I asked the kebab shop staff to call the police three times.

“I went outside and I wanted to get Martin from Young John Mongan, Martin was getting the better of him.

“Young John Mongan was on the floor and Martin and John Anthony Mongan were fighting.

“I got Martin away from Mr Mongan and then Martin went over and kicked Mr Mongan while he was on the floor to the chest or head area at about 50 per cent of his force.

“I grabbed Martin to prevent further violence.”

Mr Gzik said John Anthony Mongan was there and he was trying to get Mr Mongan off the floor and other people were further away from the scene.

He said he and Slezak walked away from the scene as two women came up and a couple told them to leave the scene.

As they walked to Slezak's home, Mr Gzik said he said “you are an idiot” to Slezak, who responded by saying he was trying to protect Mr Gzik.

Mr Gzik said at Slezak's home they had some of the vodka that was left, talked about the incident although he said he could not remember what was said and then he went to sleep.

He was there when the police came to arrest Slezak at 6.31am on Sunday, June 28.

Under cross examination by Michael Hayton, defending Slezak, Mr Gzik said they had been having a good time in the afternoon and evening.

He said although he had had quite a bit to drink over a few hours he knew what he was doing and felt “soberish”.

Mr Gzik said when the sauce was spilled on his trousers he just wanted answers and an apology.

He said after he had been hit by John Anthony Mongan, Slezak pushed or took John Anthony Mongan to the floor in the kebab shop and that was when Young John Mongan came in shouting, before they went outside and were fighting.

Judge Geraint Walters asked Mr Gzik: “When you left the road and walked home, what state did you think the man lying on the road was in?”

Mr Gzik answered “unconscious”.

The trial continues.