Stevenage man sentenced to 28 years for murder

A man has been sentenced after he was found guilty of the murder of schoolboy Kajetan Migdal.

Patrick Sharp-Meade, aged 20, of Cutty’s Lane in Stevenage appeared at Luton Crown Court today (Friday 17 May).

He was jailed for life and must serve 28 years minimum before he’ll be eligible for parole.

Judge John Hillen took into account time Sharp-Meade has already spent in custody and therefore must serve 26 years and 12 days minimum.

On Friday 27 May 2022, Kajetan and three friends, who attended St John Henry Newman School in Stevenage, had been at their school prom and were changing their clothes at his car, which was parked in Cutty’s Lane, before heading into Cambridge for the remainder of the night.

Wearing a balaclava and carrying a large zombie knife concealed down his trousers, Sharp-Meade confronted the boys believing they were the group who he had heard talking to his ex-girlfriend when she had phoned whilst on her way to his flat a few minutes earlier. After asking Kajetan if he was ‘from these ends’ Sharp-Meade then pulled out the knife and stabbed him, delivering a fatal wound to the heart. Kajetan died in hospital in the early hours of the next morning.

Kajetan and his friends had never met Sharp-Meade before that night and did not know his ex-girlfriend.

After the stabbing Sharp-Meade returned to his flat and hid the knife in his mattress. He left the scene but was traced by the police and quickly arrested.

In court he pleaded guilty to possessing the knife and a small number of wraps of cocaine that were found in his shoe during his arrest. He accepted that he had stabbed and killed Kajetan but denied murder.

Following a trial, it took the jury of six men and six women just over 24 hours to reach their verdict.

Judge John Hillen in sentencing said: “Kajetan Migdal was 18 years old when you killed him. He was a remarkable young man. He was larger than life; talkative, happy, a talented dancer who had appeared on national television, a bright student about to undergo a gap year before going to university. Everything pointed to a great future for Kajetan. He was someone who loved and was loved.

“It is a testament to Kajetan that nearly 1,000 people attended his funeral mass, and he was remembered in churches in Poland, all over Europe and in the wider world.  He has had awards and a studio named after him, there have been and will be dance performances in his memory, a tree was planted to commemorate him.”

He told Sharp-Meade: “This is the person you murdered, depriving him of his life and depriving his family, his friends, and the world of his promise. The knife you picked up was not a normal knife, it was a knife to kill and maim. You are manipulative and have been described as cunning.”

Detective Inspector Justine Jenkins from the Major Crime Unit said: “A young person who had so much promise sadly lost their life due to the actions of one individual. There is nothing that can bring Kajetan back and whilst this sentence is significant it cannot repair the damage caused to many other lives.  I hope it gives his family and loved ones an opportunity to adjust to their new reality knowing justice has now been served but I suspect not given the life-long sentence they face without Kajetan.

“I hope Sharp-Meade uses his time to reflect on his actions and the devastating consequences they’ve had. Our thoughts remain with Kajetan’s family who I’d like to thank for their bravery and strength throughout this entire, lengthy process. It is nearly two years since Kajetan lost his life and there will not have been a single day when they have not relived what happened only extending their trauma.”