A Twisted Crown of Thorns ®

The human heart is utterly deceptive. In one vein we are capable of accomplishing unimaginable feats of bravery and charitable deeds and the next moment descend into utter depravity and wallow in the most hideous and vile acts.

A have-a-go hero who tackled a gun-wielding robber has been jailed for life for a brutal murder.

Deivydas Jacikas, 21, was praised for his bravery after he was caught on camera stopping a fleeing jewel thief last February.

But just eight months later Lithuanian immigrant Jacikas carried out a revenge attack on a grandfather-of-nine Henrikas Baranauskas, 56, who he claimed head-butted his father.

Jacikas confronted father-of-eight Mr Baranauskas last October before beating him so savagely his victim sustained 14 fractured ribs and severe brain damage.

Mr Baranauskas was so badly beaten that his family eventually had to make the agonising decision to switch off his life support machine.

The attack of ‘extreme violence’ by Jacikas was in stark contrast to the scene in Peterborough city centre eight months previously, when the Lithuanian had risked his life tackling armed jewellery store raiders.

The factory worker made national headlines after dramatic images showed him wrestling with a gun-toting robber, who eventually dropped his weapon and fled the scene.

During the murder trial, prosecutors had made reference to the jewellery store robbery after which Jacikas was hailed a hero.

Angela Rafferty, prosecuting, said: ‘At the time you said you were told you might get a medal for what you had done…

Speaking after the jewellery heist, he said: ‘I have never acted so bravely before, I’ve never seen a gun, or caught a shoplifter, or anything like that. This is a first for me and it was very scary.

‘But I would do the same again, of course.’

Jacikas told the court during his murder trial he had been ‘very angry’ when he was told by his mother Mr Baranauskas had head-butted his father, and had gone to his home for ‘revenge’.

I who speak believe, I am no better than the next man. But I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me worthy of His forgiveness and mercy.Even though I was once lawless, a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, yet I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Surely, the heart of man is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?