Man denies lying after stepfather's death

A man accused of perverting the course of justice following his stepfather's death has denied lying to police and paramedics about the circumstances in which the body was found.

Alberto Bukala, 22, is on trial alongside his mother, Sylwia Bukala, 43, following the death of 41-year-old Karol Likiera at a flat in Algitha Road, Skegness, on 18 August 2025.

His mother admits stabbing Likiera but denies murder, claiming diminished responsibility due to her mental state.

Prosecutors allege Alberto Bukala would have seen his stepfather's body when he returned from work during the early hours and later gave a false account to the emergency services.

Giving evidence at Lincoln Crown Court, Alberto Bukala told jurors Likiera was not in the living room when he arrived home at about 02:30 BST.

He said he assumed Likiera was working a night shift and went to bed after checking on his mother.

Alberto Bukala said he discovered Likiera's body the following morning.

"It made me feel numb - I just froze," he told the jury.

He said he then alerted his mother and called 999.

Asked why he requested an ambulance rather than police, Alberto Bukala replied: "Because he was not breathing."

The court heard paramedics found Likiera dead in the living room, with blood on the sofa and on a kitchen knife left on a draining board.

A Home Office pathologist found Likiera died from a single stab wound to the upper chest which penetrated his heart, diaphragm and liver. Blood recovered from the knife matched his DNA.

The trial continues.

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