HARLOW: Man found guilty of murdering friend in cash row
12:30pm Wednesday 3rd December 2008 in Where I Live By Isabel Jensen
Roland Balasko from Harlow who killed Zoltan Keskey after a row over a debt
A MAN has been sentenced to life after being found guilty of stabbing a former friend to death after an argument over money.
Roland Balasko, 28 from St Andrews Meadow in Harlow will serve a minimum of 19 years after being found guilty of murdering Lorry driver Zoltan Keskey, 28, also from Harlow.
Police were called to reports of a fight in St Andrews Meadow in the early hours of April 2 2008.
Although there was no sign of Mr Keskey, the large amount of blood prompted police to launch a murder investigation and warehouse worker Balasko was arrested on suspicion of murder later the same day.
Two days later the body of Mr Keskey was discovered dumped in Shenley Hill in Radlett. He had been stabbed 31 times.
The court was told that Balasko, who had originally pleaded not guilty, was a heavy gambler who had borrowed cash from Mr Keskey to feed his habit.
It is believed the two friends had an argument over the cash, and Balasko snapped, repeatedly stabbing Mr Keskey in the head, neck and stomach.
Speaking after the jury returned a guilty verdict yesterday, Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Simon Dinsdale said: "This was a vicious attack on a young man by a person known to him. Zoltan Keszey and Roland Balasko had been friends and this tragedy appears to have been a result of an argument that got fatally out of hand."
He added: "Whatever the motive for this murder, nobody deserves to have their life taken in such a violent way and Balasko made attempts to cover his crime by driving his victim to Hertfordshire where his body was left. Nothing will bring Zoltan back, but I hope this verdict will offer some small consolation to the family that justice has been served."
