Rakvere pensioner killed with axe: 67-year-old man sentenced to 18 years and 5 months in prison

The Viru County Court's conviction has become final: 67-year-old Oleg Persidski was found guilty of murdering a pensioner in Rakvere and sentenced to 18 years, 5 months and 26 days imprisonment. In addition to the murder, he was convicted of repeated assault and multiple burglaries. The court satisfied the victims' civil claims in full.

The Viru County Court's conviction of Rakvere resident Oleg Persidski has become final. The 67-year-old man was sentenced to 18 years, 5 months and 26 days imprisonment for murder committed under aggravating circumstances, repeated assault and burglaries.

Brutal crime in Rakvere

The most serious crime occurred on 23 November 2024. Persidski broke down the door of a detached house belonging to an elderly man living alone in Rakvere and forced his way inside. When the 77-year-old resident refused to voluntarily hand over money, the attacker repeatedly struck him on the head, face and chest with an axe. The victim's bloodied body was discovered two days later by his brother, who had come to visit his relative and bring him bread. The attacker's spoils included a mobile phone, a wallet with bank cards and a small amount of cash.

Previous crimes and recidivism

In addition to the murder, Persidski was convicted of brutal assault committed on 11 August 2024: he struck a man lying on a sofa with a pipe-like object and pressed his fingers into the victim's eyes. Because Persidski had previously been sentenced for a similar crime, the act was classified as repeat violence.

The court found systematic thefts to be proven. In February 2024, he broke into a residential building through a shattered window and stole approximately 50 silver tableware items, a handmade golden ring, tsarist-era gold coins and antique clocks, causing the owner damage totalling 15,880 euros. In the same year's autumn, he similarly ransacked two more summer cottages.

Sentence and civil claims

Persidski's previous conviction by Harju County Court in 2017 added a partially uncompleted prison sentence to his new punishment. The execution of the sentence began on his date of detention, 26 November 2024.

The court satisfied the victims' civil claims in full. One victim must be compensated 11,880 euros in material damages. The relatives of the murdered man must be paid 2,596 euros in material damage and 15,000 euros in non-pecuniary damage. Additionally, Persidski must reimburse the state for proceedings costs totalling 22,085 euros, including over 15,000 euros for expert examinations, with the court allowing this sum to be paid over 12 months from the date the judgment became final.

The axe used as the murder weapon, gloves found at the crime scene and biological samples are to be destroyed by court order. The murdered man's personal items are returned to his heirs.