Killers attacked and set fight to two brothers

Two men who killed a 35-year-old man by setting fire to him at an industrial premises in Southall and attempted to kill his brother in the same way, have today( Wednesday 11 September) been jailed for life for murder and attempted murder.

Jakub Ostrowski, 37 of Harvard Road, Isleworth, was jailed for life with a minimum of 30 years for the murder of Benedykt (aka Ben) Nowak, 27 years for the attempted murder of Sam Nowak and eight years for recklessly endangering the lives of others by arson.

Mariusz Florowski, 38 of Hick Avenue, Greenford was jailed for life with a minimum of 30 years for the murder of Benedykt (aka Ben) Nowak, 27 years for the attempted murder of Sam Nowak and eight years recklessly endangering the lives of others by for arson.

Both men's sentenced will run concurrently and they have been told the must serve a minimum of 30 years imprisonment before they are considered for release. They were convicted on Wednesday 4 September.

During the three week trial, the Old Bailey heard how police were called at approximately 21:15hrs on Friday, 22 February to reports of a fire in progress at a commercial premises in the Dilloway Industrial Estate, The Green, Southall.

London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service also attended and both Ben and Sam Nowak were taken to hospital suffering serious injuries.

Ben Nowak was later pronounced dead at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital at 22:55hrs on Sunday, 24 February. He was a Polish national living in Harrow.

Sam Nowak received hospital treatment for his injuries.

Ostrwoski and Florowski were arrested and later charged.

Detective Sergeant Stuart Reeves of the Homicide and Major Crime Command (HMCC), said: "After a long, protracted investigation and a three week trial at the Old Bailey, Mariusz Florowski and Jakub Ostrowski, have been found guilty of the murder of Benedykt Nowak, the attempted murder of Przemyslaw Nowak and recklessly endangering the lives of others by arson.

"On February 22 at Dilloway Industrial Estate in Southall, Marius Florowski and Jakub Ostrowski subjected the two brothers to a prolonged violent attack before drenching them both in petrol.

"Acting together they then set light to Benedykt Nowak causing him such severe burns that he later died in hospital. Przemyslaw Nowak managed to escape but was severely injured in the attack. The subsequent fire also caused a vast amount of damage putting the lives of residents and emergency service personnel at risk.

"Benedykt Nowak was murdered in a callous manner and this was witnessed by his courageous brother who bravely gave evidence in court.

"The investigation team are satisfied that justice has been done in this case, however, this does not detract from the continued grief and suffering that the actions of Mariusz Florowski and Jakub Ostrowski has had on the family of Benedykt Nowak.

"We would like to thank all those who have assisted Police and provided evidence in this case which has led to securing these convictions."

11th September 2013